Mapping provincial ECD Structures:

a case study of the Eastern Cape

ECD COP meeting8th April 2014

Aim: To map what is currently

happening at a provincial level and identify ‘tipping points’,

using the Eastern Cape as a case study to inform a larger mapping process and the development of

a survey tool

Process: • Limited scope• Existing knowledge and key

informants• Contact via email• Generally positive response• 9 existing structures and very

roughly 945 orgs/stakeholders

Existing ECD-related structures identified

1. Network of Early Childhood Training Agencies (NECTA)

OVERVIEW:NECTA is a network of non-profit organizations offering training and support in Early Childhood Development (ECD) and integrated community development to meet the needs of children, families and communities in rural and urban areas of the province.

STRUCTURE:NECTA was established in 1992 as a voluntary association, in response to a need for a high quality and integrated approach to ECD in the Eastern Cape. It is a formally constituted network and participants pay membership fees on sliding scale assessed annually according to their income.

The network is led by an Executive Committee consisting of the leader of each member organization, which meets quarterly. In addition, NECTA holds two general council meetings per year attended by the Executive Committee and an additional representative from each organization. Office bearers, including a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer are voted in at a biennial general meeting.

PARTICIPATION & REPRESENTATION:NECTA represents a diverse range of organisations, (currently 15 members), including registered training providers with extensive experience of providing SAQA qualifications and Unit Standards to ECD practitioners, Community Development Practitioners and other participants, as well organisations offering non-formal training as part of a broader community development approach. The network brings together a wealth of experience and expertise and has an extensive footprint in the Eastern Cape with members operating in all six districts and both Metros, covering all but one of the province’s 37 local municipal districts. (See Appendix for detailed membership).

2. Eastern Cape ECD Forum

OVERVIEW:The Eastern Cape Early Childhood Development (ECD) Forum is a multi-stakeholder platform established to create an equitable space in which ECD role-players can share their experiences and learn from best practice within the sector, while advocating for an integrated approach to ECD in line with the SA Integrated Programme of Action for ECD at provincial and local level.

STRUCTURE:Established in May 2012, the Forum meets on a quarterly basis and attendance varies between 30 – 60 participants, with numbers gradually increasing over time. The ECD Forum secretariat is hosted by ITEC, an education and ECD focused Non Profit Organisation, based in East London, and the founding member of the ECD Forum.

The ECD Forum is currently an informal structure based loosely on the principles of a community of practice, however there is a considerable push by members to formalize the structure. Members feel that formalizing the structure will increase participation and legitimacy as well as attracting possible funding. Various organizational models are currently being explored.

PARTICIPATION & REPRESENTATION:There are currently 150 participants on the Forum’s database some of whom regularly attend meetings and others who are only interested in receiving information on the activities of the Forum. The Forum comprises numerous ECD stakeholders with members from various sectors attending including, but not limited to; ECD and related NPOs – focusing on health, children, families & psycho-social support etc.EC NGO Coalition, ECD Training Providers, ETDP and H&W SETAs, NDA provincial, Business , DSD, DOE, DOH provincial and some districts, SA Congress for ECD, BCCCDA, NECTA , Local Government , Traditional Leaders,Higher Education, ECSECC, Funders , ECD researchers & consultants , ECD centres & Foundation Phase Schools

3. Government ECD structures Provincial Strategic Committee for ECD (inter-sectoral) Focus is to facilitate co-ordination, collaboration and synergy in the implementation of the Integrated ECD Programme and services in the Eastern Cape Province, in line with the Integrated Provincial ECD Strategy as well as the Anti-Poverty Strategy.Participation and representation• DSD – Nosipho Nkalitshana (Manager: ECD)• DoH - Zukiswe Mabece (Assistant Manager: Nutrition) • DoE – Sibusisiwe Tachie (EPWP Manager) • ECD Forum – Michele Kay (Managing Director, ITEC) • NECTA – Rene King (Project Director, Khululeka) • ETDP Seta – Luvo Gazi (Manager) • DSD representative from each district• COGTA, Correctional Services, EPWP, NDA, SASSA

Provincial Inter-departmental Committee (comprising government departments and government agencies)Focuses on the coordination and implementation of ECD servicesParticipation and representation• DSD – Nosipho Nkalitshana (Manager: ECD) • DoH - Zukiswe Mabece (Assistant Manager: Nutrition) • DoE – Sibusisiwe Tachie (EPWP Manager)

Provincial Planning Commission Aligned to the National Development Plan and tasked with developing provincial development plan for province (one of the ‘sectors’ is HRD & Education which comprises 3 areas – ECD, Basic Education and Tertiary Education). Broad consultation to develop a chapter on Education, which includes ECDParticipation and representation• Commissioner Nhlanganiso Dladla (HRD & Education Sector)• Supported by Daryl Braam , ECSECC

4. Eastern Cape NGO Coalition

OVERVIEW:Now in its 16th year of existence, ECNGOC is widely regarded as the leading provincial NGO Coalition, and accorded recognition as the most representative body of the development sector in the Province. It plays a significant representative role in many consultative multi-partite forums and government-led development processes, not just in the province, but in South Africa.

STRUCTURE:The ECNGOC is a member-based constituency whose core business is to create a vibrant civil society with the key target group being organised structures.

The ECNGOC has a Provincial Secretariat based in East London and has District Structures in the 6 Districts and 2 Metros in the EC Province. The structures provide a platform for dialogue and engagement for the NPO sector as well as a communication channel for other social partners. A key example is the breakdown in communication in the funding to NPOs from DSD and how ECNGOC used our dialogue platform to improve and strengthen Govt/ NPO Interface.

Focus areas are Health and Welfare, HIV/AIDS, Home based Care, Paralegal, Housing and Local Government, Women, Rural Development, Education and Training, Gender, Educare, People with Disabilities, Youth, Aged, and Community Development.

Participation and representation600 NPO members

Key contact: Rooks Moodley, ECNGOC Director (e: rooksmoodley@ecngoc.co.za, t: 0873731082)

5. Donor Dialogue Platform

STRUCTURE:The platform was established by the Eastern Cape NGO Coaltion (ECNGOC) who will host quarterly platforms to bring donors and the NPO sector together to discuss funding focus areas and funding channels, with the longer term aim of possibly evolving into a formal structure. The main focus area is funding and tools to strengthen NPOs, (making the Eastern Cape a funding destination).

Participation and representationApproximately 10 donors and 50 NPOs at provincial level who will cascade information to district structures.

Key contact: Rooks Moodley, ECNGOC Director (e: rooksmoodley@ecngoc.co.za, t: 0873731082)

6. Buffalo City Childcare and Development Association

OVERVIEW:The Buffalo City ECD Association seeks to help train and develop member ECD and child care centres through enhancement of managerial, teaching and counselling skills, mobilisation of community participatory projects, provision of needed material and financial support, and building of supportive relationships with parents and local communities. The association further seeks to strengthen relationships with governmental stakeholders and to boost general public awareness of critical social issues impacting children.

Major focus areas: • Training ECD and child care centre managers and teachers in vital skills - including First Aid,

Computers, Basic educational & character development training, Baby care training, and NQF levels 4-5.

• Helping to mobilise needed funding and resources for 35 currently non-funded CCD and child care centres.

• Enhancing ECD and child care centre relationships with relevant stakeholders, including parents, local communities, and relevant governmental departments.

• Conducting public awareness campaigns on ECD and child care programming and critical social issues affecting children.

Structure: Board members x 7Executive Members x 10Disciplinary committee x 4

200 creches surrounding Buffalo City Metro Municipality (Scenery Park Forum, Amalinda Forum, Reeston Forum, Duncan Village Forum, Mdantsane Forum, Newlands Forum, Needs Camp Forum, and King Williams Town Forum, Mooiplaas Forum)

Key contact details: Mrs Nondumiso Mpitimpiti (Coordinator) Cell: 072 204 1357 Email: amalindacom@gmail.com Fax: 086 245 6469

7. Further Education and Training Colleges and Higher Education Institutions

STRUCTURES:• Fort Hare University

• Buffalo City FET College

• King Hintsa FET College

• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

• Rhodes University and Centre for Social Development

8. Provincial structure of the SA Congress Local and district ECD Forums

9. Welfare Forum Three in the province? Possibly some ECD centres represented

TIPPING POINTS OF INFLUENCE

NOTE:The issues, themes and processes highlighted here do not by any means represent a comprehensive summary for the province. They have been gathered primarily from information available from NECTA and the ECD Forum. Due to time constraints input has not been gathered from other structures and it is recommended that this be done as a follow-up exercise.

Issues and themes:

1.Collaboration

2.Capacity building

3.Training and curriculum

4.Advocacy and lobbying

5.Access and scale up of ECD services

6.Creating consensus around a common vision

7.Knowledge building and sharing

8.Policy

TIPPING POINTS OF INFLUENCE

NOTE:The issues, themes and processes highlighted here do not by any means represent a comprehensive summary for the province. They have been gathered primarily from information available from NECTA and the ECD Forum. Due to time constraints input has not been gathered from other structures and it is recommended that this be done as a follow-up exercise.

Processes currently taking place at a provincial level:1. DSD ECD Audit – Audit of registered ECD sites in the province,

commission by the Department of Social Development2. Provincial Planning Commission – Consultations and creation of a

Provincial Development Plan for ECD led by the Provincial Planning Commission.

3. National ECD Policy and Programme – Provincial consultations4. Integrated ECD Programme of Action - DSD-led process at a

provincial level.5. UNICEF technical support with DSD, DoE, DoH – establishment of

Imizamoyethu ECD centre as a model of excellence and proposed UNICEF provincial mapping process

6. Takalani Sesame Outreach project – Development of learning materials and provision of training, support and monitoring.

7. Ilifa Labantwana – Exploring scale up of ECD services and the concept of the ‘essential package’

Other thoughts: • Sharing best practice – what works

• Sharing experiences of addressing

specific ‘tipping points’, areas of

overlap and identifying where

collective action might be valuable

NECTA

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Existing ECD Structures in South Africa

Click On NECTA

NECTA

Issues Links

Key: Processes Links

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