ECD QUALITY TOOLKIT Setting the scene Pilot Briefing Meeting 11 November 2015

“What is quality ECD provision in practice?” 3 PARTS TO THE TOOLKIT:  REFLECTION TOOL  PROCESS GUIDELINES  RESOURCES PURPOSE STATEMENT FOR REFLECTION TOOL The purpose of the ECD Quality Reflection tool is to help practitioners (including care-givers, trainers and other stakeholders) think about quality in ECD, in terms of:  How quality is made up of different aspects  How these aspects look different in different contexts  How thinking about quality can support good practices.

REFLECTION TOOL: DIMENSIONS OF QUALITY IN ECD TEACHING & LEARNING LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT [ Applies to the Principal or Site Manager] ENVIRONMENT POLICY & SYSTEMS FRAMEWORKS ELEMENTS OF EACH DIMENSION Understanding Pedagogical Theory Instructional Leadership Physical Policies & Procedures Implementing Appropriate Methodology Organisational Management Mental & Emotional Regulatory authorities Reflecting on attitudes, beliefs and ethics Support for Sites External [Influence Of Parents/ Home/ Community] Support systems (for practitioners, for learners and for parents) Managing Oneself Quality Assurance Resources Ethics

Pilot Aims 1. To refine/ adapt the reflection tool by testing whether the questions encourage practitioners/teachers: To reflect on own practice To estimate own areas of strengths and weakness To identify potential areas for of change 2. To test self-reflection methodology in the ECD sector [not testing impact in this pilot] 3. To refine mediator pack and process & implementation guidelines 4. To gather data on practitioner views on dimensions of quality in which they need assistance/ resources / guidance 5. To use data to inform a subsequent phase of implementation: e.g. using the Reflection Tool for self-improvement, developing a planning tool for practitioners ….

Pilot Project Plan Identification of sites and mediators [November 2015] Finalisation of Mediator Pack [January 2016] -Site visit guidelines -Dialogue Schedule (with prompts for mediators) -ECD Reflection Tool -Reporting templates Implementation of Pilot [March to May] Data capture [June to July] Mediator Training Workshop [9 February 2016] Mediator Feedback Workshop [June] Dissemination of pilot results [August] Options for Phase 2

Centre typesPILOT SCOPE Process TBC once sites identified Registered - ECD centre, playgroups, home-based, community centres, farm- based Non-registered: ECD centre, playgroups, home-based, community centres, farm- based Community owned (impoverished or trust)/ privately owned/ municipality Informal settlements by definition not registered : all types 5 provinces: W Cape/ KZN / Limpopo /Gauteng / Mpumalanga From each province: 1 or 2 mediators for 3 sites [1 informal settlement, 1 community site, 1 home based – 1 at least well- resourced and 1 at least under-resourced; 1 rural and 1 town: age band 2 years to 5/6 years] Each site visit – half a day depending on numbers and sites. Mediators to be given a 1 day training workshop on process and instruments before site visits.

Some example questions Teaching & Learning: Understanding Pedagogical theories “What are my views on how children learn?” “Why is learning through play important?” Policy Framework: Support for practitioners “Do I know where the nearest Education District Office is? Do I know how they can support me?”

Some example questions LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT: Instructional Leadership “ How do I ensure that my staff get professional development ? “ How do I encourage my staff to share good ideas and resources? LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT: Organisational Management “ Do I have the relevant ECD policies in place and do I consult these?” “How could I improve the management of my financial systems?”

Criteria for organisations  Provide 1/2 mediators  Appropriate geographical area  Appropriate age cohort  Appropriate site type  Site staff give consent (confidentiality noted/ no attribution)  Management of site visit logistics & refreshments  Commitment to time frame  Commitment to follow up process

Criteria for mediators  Attend 1 day Training Workshop (9 February 2015)  Commit to 1.5 days per site (prep, interview, observation, admin & reporting) (March-May)  Commit to 1 day Feedback Workshop (June)  Ability to use appropriate language according to the context of the site  ECD experience (training, field work)  Personal qualities: coaching, mentoring, empathy

BRIDGE Roles Project management role Facilitation of Training Workshop & Feedback Workshop Provision of all templates and reporting resources Data capture & pilot reporting [to funders, to CoP members, to pilot participants] Support to pilot participants: reimburse mileage claims, daily stipend for mediators on site visits (R per day)