Objectives
•  Train practitioners and care givers at home-based pre-primary schools and formal schools to gain an accredited national certificate in NQf level 1 and 4.
•  Train and equip ECD educators through demonstration lessons in their classrooms.
•  To equip educators with skills of facilitating numeracy, literacy and life skills.
•  To support educators with planning and assessment skills.
•  Improve the quality of classroom management in targeted schools (school-based and home-based).

GENERAL WORKSHOPS Classroom management Planning programme Creative activities Perception Numeracy Movement and music School readiness

SPECIALISED WORKSHOPS Computers: Word and Excel Assessment Creative Activities Movement HIV/AIDS Theme Planning Story-telling Barriers to Learning English Numeracy

SATURDAY WORKSHOPS General Computer skills Asessments Creative Activities Movements HIV/AIDS Theme planning Story telling Barriers of learning

Partner Schools:
Mganduzweni Area: Ikhanyeti Primary School, Siyancoba Primary School
Zwelisha Area: Phakani Primary School, Sakhasive Day Care, Kasintjengwane Pre-school, Chakaza Primary School
Clau-Clau Area: Mhwayi Primary School, Maqamela Primary School, Mattafin Pre-school (Special School)

Every educator that attends Penreach for the first year is expected to complete the general main workshop. Here they learn the basics that many were never taught. After this year, educators may then choose a specialized workshop. Their choice is influenced by the fact that they may be weak in a particular area, or feel that they have insufficient competency. The following year they choose a different specialized workshop. These workshops give the educators the basic skills. Once they have gained confidence and some competency, Penreach then expects them to enhance their own skills through their own efforts.
Pre-school educators who have never had any formal training in ECD (Early Childhood Development) specifically requested that Penreach do an accredited course so that they could earn a nationally recognized qualification. Penreach responded to this need by developing a NQF level 1 and 4 in ECD training.
This course runs selected on weeks during the term as well as holidays. Educators pay a registration fee to attend these courses. At the end of each module, educators are assessed and if found competent, are issued with an accredited certificate on the assessed unit standard.

Cluster Workshops
A group of teachers meet at one target school and educators from neighbouring schools are allowed to attend. Topics are chosen on recommendation from educators who are not coping with certain skills or learning area.

Topics covered are:
• Managing large group sessions e.g. theme discussion - Stories, Rhymes and movement
• Classroom management – teachers learn to manage their classrooms and divide them according to their areas, e.g. Fantasy/ Book corner. Math and Science Corners
• Planning in general i.e. daily, weekly and annually. Using the National Curriculum Statement
• Time Management – teachers are taught to manage time in the class by following a daily programme

School Visits
• Fieldworkers visit schools to do baseline studies and do demonstration lessons e.g. music, stories
• Consultation – teachers call for help and are attended
• Teachers support – team teaching in the classroom

Unit Standards offered at NQF Level 1 & 4

NQF Level 1 Fundamentals: 36 credits Core: 48 credits level 1 Electives: 36 credits level 1 Fundamentals Mathematical literacy – 16 credits Language, literacy and communication – 20 credits Core >> Support healthy development – 20 credits >> Support active learning – 24 credits >> Assist with managing the learning programme – 12 credits Electives >> Support children and adults living with HIV/AIDS in ECD settings (8 credits NQF3). >> Facilitate learning through stories, songs and rhymes (8 credits NQF 3). >> Making ECD learning resources (8 credits NQF 2). >> Facilitate learning through play (12 credits NQF 2).

NQF Level 4 Fundamentals: 36 credits Core: 64 credits Electives: 20 credits Fundamentals Mathematics: 20 credits Communication: 16 credits Core >> Facilitate health development – 14 credits >> Facilitate active learning – 30 credits >> Manage the learning programme – 20 credits Electives >> Facilitate creative art activities in ECD – 8 credits. >> Include children experiencing barriers to learning and development in ECD settings (12 credits).