The Integrated Serviced Land Project – An Early Childhood Development Pilot Project

The Early Childhood Development (ECD) project began as a component of the provincial and local government's Integrated Serviced Land Project (ISLP) aimed at addressing the socio-economic needs of families living in the informal settlements of Cape Town through holistic approaches to early childhood education and community development.  The project together with local and provincial governments designed and constructed six enrichment centres.
 

At the outset of the project a steering group, representing the community and beneficiaries of the project, was instated to see that the interests of the general public were at the forefront of all discussions pertaining to the form and function of the schools.  Local residents were elected to serve on the governing bodies with oversight of all six enrichment centres.  Enduring partnerships between the governing bodies and the Western Cape Department of Social Services and Poverty Alleviation were bolstered so they might offer guidance and monetary support, which amounts to 95 percent of all funding, and the City of Cape Town and Caleb consulting, who accommodate the remaining 5 percent.   
 

The ISLP is to provide exceptional quality early childhood development to the communities of Brown’s Farm, Crossroads, Delft, Philippi and Weltevreden Valley by way of exemplary teacher training, apprenticeships for developing skilled administrators and on-going support.  At present, a total of 124 women are pursuing either a level 1 or level 4 accreditation in early childhood development offered by the ECD .  During the beginning phases of creating a strong managerial team, 158 local community members were given lessons in leadership, school governance and financial management with the intent of fashioning a self-reliant organisation.

Furthermore, 3600 familes have profited from a range of services extended to communities through the Family Outreach Programme, one of the participating NGOs.  1 384 families have been able to obtain financial support through the Child Support Grant for their children with indispensible direction from Family Outreach Programme workers.   
 

Innovation
 

From the planning of buildings, training and employing teachers, the community has not only been involved, but acted as the stimulus for much of the project.  The involvement of various community stakeholders at every phase of the process the potential for sustainability of the project has been greatly improved ultimately leading to a greater positive impact.     
 

Effectiveness

480 children have access to the ECD programme; 76 jobs have been created in through the project in 5 disadvantaged communities being served; 85 women are being trained in level 1 in ECD; 39 women are being trained in level 2 in ECD; 158 community members have received training in school governance, leadership and financial management.

Poverty Impact
 

Studies and reports have shown that ECD benefits include: improved acceptance into primary school education; improved health, improved social and emotional behavior and a reduction in social and economic disparities and gender inequalities that divide society. The training and employment provided to adults in the community has provided them with skills, which make them more employable.  Also, 3600 families received a range of social services through the Family Outreach Programme., 1 324 of which were helped with obtaining child support grants.
 
Sustainability
 

The institutional sustainability of this project has been entrenched by involving the local community and providing them with the skills to continue with this service. Funding has come from the Provincial Department of Social Services and Poverty Alleviation and the City of Cape Town.  Provincial and local governments have recently requested that the project continue for an additional five years.

Replication
 

This project has been carefully monitored and documented to outline positive practices for poverty-reduction programmes.  There are a number of similar projects taking root in the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces to combat a lack of ECD.
 
Partnerships
•Masibambane Consortium, of which the Centre for Early Childhood  Development (CECD) is the lead partner
•Western Cape Department of Social Services and Poverty Alleviation
•City of Cape Town
•Caleb Consulting

Visit www.cecd.org.za for more information