“After many years of teaching, I have constantly seen the direct impact that quality foundation phase and early childhood development has on school achievement and eventually matric results,” says Tracey Urquhart from Baby Steps Early Learning Centre.
You cannot put a price on Quality Education – this should begin in the preschool years. Early Childhood Development (ECD) appears to be one of those topics that most people ignore – when it should be our primary focus. We are caught up with the Matric results and how that would affect or shape the future for millions of South Africans writing the crucial national examinations each year.
Research has shown that a good foundation in education leads to better matric pass rates, which leads to better socioeconomic conditions, which will hopefully raise the standard of living and lower the crime rate.
Early education intervention needs to be taken seriously. Most barriers to learning can be detected in the preschool years and rectified. According to the Department of Social Development’s Audit Report of ECD centres in the country, 51.7% of children aged 0 to five years have no access to any ECD and 70% of preschools are not suited or equipped and have unskilled staff who are not providing the necessary services.
In December 2018, there was great concern when of the one million Grade 1s who enrolled in 2007, only 669 382 matriculated. 370 000 children got lost along the way!
In a country with high levels of poverty and large numbers of learners coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, early childhood development plays a significant role in getting children ready for school. Learning through play with appropriate and quality resources has a profound effect on formal education.
Baby Steps Early Learning Centre is an elite preschool offering the highest standard of education to preschoolers, keeping up with the changing times and technology.
Don’t take a chance on your child’s future. Take the right steps – Baby Steps!