Training & Resources in Early Education
TREE is a non-profit organisation that specialises in Early Childhood Development resources and training.
Our Vision
TREE’s vision is to become a globally recognized institution and a thought leader in the advancement of universal and quality and quality early childhood education throughout Africa and the world.
Why TREE?
access to care and education
International research from scientific studies informs us that 90% of brain growth and development takes place before the age of 5.
Thus, early childhood is the most critical period of growth and development in a person’s life! HOWEVER…
- There are roughly 5 million children below 5 in SA today. Of these, 2.3 million are affected by abject poverty, while 6% of them have special needs.
- Due to high levels of HIV and AIDS, many parents have died leaving their children as orphans.
- Almost 21% of children under 5 are stunted because of malnutrition and many die unnecessarily from preventable diseases.
- LESS THAN 16% have access to ANY FORM of ECD intervention.
What is ECD?
Early child development
ECD services promote or support the development of young children. These services include infrastructural provision such as:
- Water and sanitation
- Social security
- Birth registration
- Health services
- Safe and affordable day-care
- Opportunities for children to learn together in structured programmes
- Preparation for formal schooling
Holistic approach
OUR MISSION
to facilitate and enable universal early childhood development, through:
- capacity building,
- partnerships,
- advocacy work,
- resource mobilisation and
- knowledge management on a national scale and beyond.
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OUR VALUES
Tree’s Values statement guides the organisation on a daily basis.
- Respect for beneficiaries, colleagues and stakeholders at all times.
- Respect for diversity and culture.
- Think, act, speak and live positively.
- Practicing Human Rights and Values.
- Upholding integrity through professional commitment, conduct and accountability.
- Valuing and promoting co-operation and teamwork.
- Commitment to the well-being and development of staff.
- The creation of an Early Childhood Development Enabling Environment.
- Capacity building focusing on quality education and training programmes for those responsible for the care of children.
- The provision of and increasing the access to appropriate ECD resources.
- The promotion of sustainable programmes.
- Lobbying, advocacy and establishing partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
- Continuous monitoring, evaluation and reflective review.
What we do
Training & Education
The TREE training programme seeks to develop and empower fledging, under-resourced, marginalised ECD sites develop into sustainable, quality early childhood education.
courses
- Accredited ECD Qualification at NQF Level 4
- Accredited Short Courses
- Skills training programmes on a foundational (Basic, Orientation and CPW) and enrichment programmes (WASH, SGHC, CIMCI, RHT, Positive Living)
- One of TREE’s Essential Package components is ‘The Parenting Programme.’
INTEGRATED PROGRAMMES
As per the recommendations from the CRC; TREE’s Programmes are designed to meet all the development needs for children, giving them the best start in life.
Programme Streams
- Home Based Care
- Structured Play Groups
- Toy Libraries
- Community Development
IMPROVING PRACTITIONER DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY
- Accredited ECD Qualification at NQF Level 4
- Skills training programmes on a foundational (Basic, Orientation and CPW) and enrichment programmes (WASH, SGHC, CIMCI, RHT, Positive Living)
- Support, monitoring and assessment visits to practitioners in their ECD sites.
IMPROVING RESOURCE AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY
- Resource support – producing and packaging educational and culturally appropriate toys (in line with developmental areas), equipment, and printed resource materials
- Skills training on Applied Paper Technology – producing educational equipment from waste and other materials.
- Skills training on Committee skills (governing body), MSSECD (supervisors), Parenting (Parents, Caregivers, Practitioners)
NETWORKING AND ADVOCACY
- Networking, partnerships, and cooperation with government departments at local, provincial, and national levels, as well as other stakeholders, on all issues that affect young children. ECD Forums, Dept of Education and Social Development.
- Advocating for the rights of young children in all possible forums.
TREE’S INTEGRATED PROGRAMMES
PRIMARY CAREGIVERS REACHED
Though the Home Visiting and Structured Playgroups Programmes.
Practitioners
trained to date
In 2021 TREE graduated our first group of 10 male ECD partitioners.
children reached daily by Toy Library
Our community daily Toy Library Programme reached a cumulative total of 141,421 children, providing play 9332 times.
Community Toy Libraries
“6 bricks”
Sizanani, Post Mentoring and Support Training Programme.
In House Wooden Toy Manufacturing Workshop
TREE sustainability for income generation.
Celebrating 35 years
In 2019, TREE turned 35 years!
over 1500 ECD sites supported
The TREE training program seeks to develop and empower fledging, under-resourced ECD sites develop into sustainable, quality centers.
Get involved
Tree turns 40
in Sept 2024
Tree turns 40
in Sept 2024
