NECDA has contributed a great deal to strengthening the ECD sector since its inception in 2005.
Key achievements include the following:
Materials Development
Pursuant to NECDA’s purpose in ensuring all children access quality ECD programmes, the organization undertook a curriculum development project in 2009 to develop a set of ECD materials that were of a high standard with the express purpose to raise the professional standards within the ECD sector and to empower practitioners participating in the qualification. The materials have an emphasis on academic literacy, specifically to lay a strong academic foundation should practitioners wish to study further e.g. level 5 and B Degree. The materials were developed for access by NECDA member organization, the majority of whom provide training and capacity development to the ECD sector.
- NECDA developed a full set of SETA accredited materials for the following qualification:
- Further Education & Training Certificate Early Childhood Development NQF Level 4 (ID58761).
- Each Unit Standard of the materials comprises:
- Facilitators Guides
- Learner Guides
- Assessment Instruments and Tools
Over 20 NECDA member organisations / training providers have accessed these materials and utilized them for the training and development of ECD practitioners.
The following criteria was put in place for members wishing to access the materials:
- Members must be ETDP SETA accredited o Members must have suitably qualified and experienced facilitators
- Members must attend TOT (training of trainers) to utilize materials
- NECDA conducted numerous Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions which were compulsory for all members who applied to utilize the materials. These sessions ensured that the high quality of materials would be maintained at the level of implementation.
- A significant number of ECD practitioners have been trained utilizing these materials.
ECD Policy Engagement
- National ECD Inter-Sectoral Forum – NECDA Chairperson is the committee chair for non-state sector role players
- National Integrated ECD Policy – submission of policy position and comments to National DSD as well as inputs into key HR policies that impact the ECD sector.
- NECDA member organisations & expert members participate in Working Group to develop Occupational Certificate: Early Childhood Development Practitioner Level 4 (ID 97542).
The NECDA 2014 – 2017 Strategic Plan outlines strategic objectives which will assist the organization in achieving its mandate.
The key objectives are:
- Capacity building of NECDA’s membership
- Advocacy - Policy Position & Engagement To make the voice of ECD NPO’s heard in key national and provincial processes, taking informed policy positions.To respond to emerging ECD policy issues.
- To inform policy development.
- To hold ourselves and stakeholders accountable to engage critically and actively in key issues. To develop an advocacy process and framework for NECDA.
- To foster collaboration within the ECD sector with key civil society stakeholders.
- In addition NECDA will also strive to meet the following objectives, to support the fulfilment of the key objectives outlined above:
- Organisational development of NECDA
- Resourcing and funding of NECDA
- Monitoring and evaluating NECDA’s programme of action .
To grow the members’ capacity to participate in the ECD sector, armed with current information, policies and legislation. To facilitate the enhancement of members’ leadership and management skills in order to sustain themselves to make a meaningful contribution. To position NECDA members as key stakeholders in training provision as well as strengthening their role in ECD HR strategy development and implementation. To contribute to the scale up of quality services and programmes, prioritizing vulnerable children.
The National Early Childhood Development Alliance NECDA was formed in 2005 with a current membership of approximately 102 registered organisations all of whom are NPOs working in the ECD sector.
Necda Vision
"a healthy society for all children and families in South Africa."
"Through its mission it aims."
Our Purpose
NECDA is well placed to be influential within the ECD sector and will advance universal access as per the vision of the National Development Plan Vision 2030. It aims to support its members to rise up and meet the challenges facing young children and raise their members profile as well as their voice, more especially those in the far to reach places of South Africa The membership of NECDA excludes individual crèches who are by and large our clients. It comprises +95% of ECD organisations in SA. NECDA has provided extensive and varied support to its members over the years, including training, funding opportunities, accreditation and RPL. It has contributed too many dialogues of the Children’s Act and recently the National Development Plan. NECDA raised funds and developed an excellent NQF Level 4 Curriculum for its members which are currently being utilized today by majority of its members.
Our Mission
As the ECD sector plays a crucial role – the role of civil society is under threat due to a number of reasons including lack of Leadership, funding and constant changes in the environment which has left many members unsure of how to navigate this complex environment. We therefore request for your partnership through funding support to ensure we meet the objective of hosting a National Meeting.
The new board has thus embarked on a mission to develop a strategic road map for the membership as well as a clear advocacy position that the NECDA will take going forward. It is critically important to address the question of “HOW” NECDA will support its members to rise up and meet the challenges facing young children and raise their profile as well as their voice, especially those in the far to reach places of South Africa. Since the strategic road map was finalized last year the membership (2014) will need capacity building through a National Meeting/Conference in May (2015).
