Early childhood development NPO appeals for funding to help children in disadvantaged communities

CAPE TOWN - As the second school term gets into full swing, the Early Learning Resource Unit is appealing for funding from both the public and private sectors to support its work in early childhood education.

The non-profit organisation focuses on bridging the education gap for grade R learners, especially in disadvantaged communities.

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CEO Tracy Fortune says they do this by equipping educators with essential learning aids and support.

She adds that increased funding will allow the organisation to continue and expand its work in preparing young children for formal schooling.

"Play-based learning is really an approach to early childhood education, and it uses play as the primary method for children to learn, explore and to make sense of the world around them, so our opinion is that children learn best when they're actively involved in experiences that are meaningful or fun or engaging."

Fortune says their programme includes tools to help track a learner’s progress, ensuring that no child falls behind.

"It leads to the programme of the development of the child and how the child is developing in terms of age and appropriate norms, so the ERLU will measure things like early literacy and numeracy, growth, motor development, fine motor coordination and cognitive and executive function."