A DV ER T ORI A L SERI T I
COMPREHENsIVE SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS Through its Caregiver Networker programme, aRe Bapaleng is helping to deepen the quality of ECD support in vulnerable communities
THE CAREGIVER NETWORKER To narrow this gap and ensure greater sustainability, reach and impact over time, Seriti Institute has established an additional facet to the aRe Bapaleng programme called the Caregiver Network. aRe Bapaleng beneficiaries receive comprehensive training and mentorship programmes, which enable them to be fully fledged members of and ambassadors for the Caregiver Network. They can then run their own ALWs within their communities, ensuring an expansion of ECD support to other parents and caregivers. This element of the training programme works in synergy with another Seriti Institute programme, Seriti PARTNER, which supports enterprise development through mentorship and business management training for civil society organisations. Seriti PARTNER and aRe Bapaleng work closely with other key stakeholders to deliver a comprehensive support package to parents and caregivers in vulnerable communities. The programme currently operates in three provinces, however, the goal is to expand this into a national support programme.
ABOUT SERITI PARTNER
BETTER OPPORTUNITIES, GREATER CAPACITY Caregiver Networkers who want to become professional Early Childhood Development Practitioners (ECDPs) may have an opportunity to do so through the Education, Training, Development and Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA). This involves an 18-month practical experience and an NQF Level 4&5 ECD course. The Caregiver Networker will become a professional ECDP who is able to provide high-quality ECD services, and can further their studies in the education sector.
SERITI PARTNER AND aRe Bapaleng WORK CLOSELY WITH OTHER KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO DELIVER A COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT PACKAGE TO PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. 20
ABOUT aRe Bapaleng
ABOUT SERITI INSTITITUTE
To find out more about Seriti or support our aRe Bapaleng programme, contact us on: 011 262 7700 info@seriti.org.za www.seriti.org.za Seriti Institute - NPC @SeritiInstitute @Seriti Institute
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he sotho phrase for ‘let’s play’ is aRe Bapaleng. A child’s critical thinking is stimulated through play and their ability to collaborate is encouraged, and play allows them to be creative. These are the key messages that the aRe Bapaleng programme communicates to parents and caregivers of children aged 0–8 years in underserviced communities. Parents and caregivers play a vital role in supporting the holistic development of children in their care. Since this programme’s inception in 2020, over 1 000 parents and caregivers in 30 different communities have, through our interactive, hands-on, fun aRe Bapaleng Active Learning Workshops (ALW), received content, skills and resources to ensure their active participation in their children’s development. Parents and caregivers in underserviced communities are at a disadvantage because there is a general lack of Early Childhood Development (ECD) awareness, insufficient capacity development programmes for day mothers and ECD practitioners, and inadequate access to ECD learning centres for children. In most cases, due to high unemployment rates, it is financially impossible for parents and caregivers to take their children to ECD centres. And, access to these centres is often a challenge as they are not optimally located. Children who have not been exposed to ECD programmes enter primary school academically unprepared and lag behind. This negatively impacts a child’s ability to listen, participate in group tasks, work independently and follow instructions. Their ability to express their ideas, make friends, share, co-operate, gain confidence and become accountable for their actions is also affected.
In this way, vulnerable communities across South Africa have a stronger, in-community hub of higher quality ECD capacity. This increases inclusion in the communal ECD ecosystem. Through the Caregiver Networker programme, more beneficiaries will be reached in a shorter period, the quality of ECD support in vulnerable communities will be deepened, the real demand for more qualified caregivers will be met and this will increase the caregiver’s employability prospects. All these elements will enable Seriti Institute and its partners to realise a collective goal: to maximise social impact by reaching many more caregivers in a way that improves children’s wellbeing. This is social innovation at work!
H U M A N R I G H T S D AY
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