CECD hosts ECD conference, “Quality ECD in South Africa: A Call to Action!”

The Centre for Early Childhood Development hosted our annual ECD conference, 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮: 𝗔 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 from 𝟮𝟳 – 𝟮𝟵 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 at the 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻, 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀.

This conference was held in partnership with the South African Research Association for Early Childhood Education (SARAECE) and the College of Cape Town – Inspiring Minds.

For any information you want to find out about the conference, visit www.qualityecdconference.co.za or contact us on conference@cecd.org.za.

CECD’s Director, Professor Eric Atmore, named one of the World’s Top 100 Most Influential Academics in Government

Professor Eric Atmore, Director of the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Extraordinary Associate Professor in the Department of Education Policy Studies at the University of Stellenbosch, has been named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Academics in Government, across the globe.

The list, put out by Apolitical, recognises academics whose work and research on policy helps to make governments more effective. READ MORE here.

Celebrating Madiba as a Children’s Champion

CECD, together with the Cape Town Museum of Childhood, developed their second book celebrating the legacy of late President Nelson Mandela. The book was officially launched at the College of Cape Town, Crawford campus, on 01 August, CECD’s 28th birthday.

The book, Madiba: Our Children’s Champion, was compiled by the CECD team of Bridget Kahts, Claire Pearce and Professor Eric Atmore and comprises a selection of President Mandela’s speeches about children while honouring some of today’s children’s champions.

This book also showcases inspirational and heart-warming pieces written by individuals whose lives have had a positive impact on children, including Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi, internationally-recognised author Sindiwe Magona, the Western Cape Commissioner for Children Christina Nomdo, and author storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe among others. The Madiba speeches are brought to life through photographs captured around Cape Town by Newton James Stanford, as well as artworks created by children of varying ages.

There is a limited print run and if you would like to receive a free copy of Madiba: Our Children’s Champion, email Ms Pearce on cpearce@cecd.org.za or phone CECD on 021 683 2420. Alternatively, view the e-publication here.

CECD launches new publication – ‘Thought Leaders on Early Childhood Development in South Africa’

We have just launched our new publication entitled, ‘Thought Leaders on Early Childhood Development in South Africa’.  This timely collection of thought-provoking essays, compiled and edited by a South African early childhood development team, led by our Director, Professor Eric Atmore, explores the concerns, opinions, and calls-for-action of thought leaders in the ECD sector in South Africa.

This book has been produced at a time when South Africa is at a crossroads. With the foundation of early education, care and nutrition at risk, the future of young children in this country is in the balance. Well-planned and decisive action is urgently required by government, the NPO sector, ECD programme providers, training organisations, donors, communities, and families – the future of South Africa’s economy demands it.

You can read the full publication here:  https://cecd.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/thought-leaders-on-ecd-in-sa-e-book.pdf

If you would like a hard copy of this publication, at no cost to you, please call Boniswa on 0216832420 and provider her with you name, name of organisation (if applicable) and your address.

Our Director, Professor Eric Atmore’s PhD Thesis!

“An Interpretive Analysis of the Early Childhood Development Policy Trajectory in Post-apartheid South Africa” – Our Director, Professor Eric Atmore’s PhD Thesis.

This year, our Director, Prof Eric Atmore, made news headlines (here, here, and here) when he graduated with his PhD from Stellenbosch University. His dissertation was entitled, “An Interpretive Analysis of the Early Childhood Development Policy Trajectory in Post-apartheid South Africa” and provides new insights into how the ECD policy trajectory shaped the evolution of ECD in post-apartheid South Africa during a period of unprecedented social, political, economic and education transformation.

To view an electronic copy of the full dissertation, click here.

Celebrating Madiba’s Life and Legacy

In celebration of what would have been Nelson Mandela’s 100th Birthday, the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD), together with the Cape Town Museum of Childhood, developed a Madiba and Children Book, which was officially launched on Mandela Day 2018.

The Madiba and Children Book includes a unique collection of photographs and stories from people who met Madiba as a child. These honest stories capture the essence of Madiba’s character: a caring, patient man who loved people and was extremely fond of children. In addition to these inspiring stories, the book presents artworks from almost 100 children from various schools across the Western Cape. A wonderful collection of photographs of Madiba interacting with children, from the well-acclaimed photographer, Benny Gool, is also presented in the book. Nelson Mandela was a champion for children and had a huge impact on the lives of millions of children around the country. With this book we honour Madiba’s legacy and his love for children.

On 18 July 2018, on what would have been Madiba’s 100th birthday, the Madiba and Children Book was launched with an event of over 200 people, including the children from the participating schools, the individuals whose stories are told in the book and other important guests. Transport for the majority of the children and parents, was sponsored by Cape Town Shuttle Services. The event had live music and entertainment, speeches and messgaes from young children, and a panel discussion where a selection of individuals from the book shared their childhood memories about Madiba.

The Madiba and Children Book was developed by Bridget Kahts and Professor Eric Atmore from the Centre for Early Childhood Development. If you would like a copy of this book, please email bkahts@cecd.org.za or phone 021 6832420. Alternatively, view the e-publication here.