This study explored the current practices implemented by Early Childhood Care and
Development (ECCD) caregivers / preschool teachers in Swaziland. It further
investigated how the lack of an appropriate policy on Early Childhood Care and
Development impacted on the delivery of services to the sector. The research was
conducted using a qualitative methodology, eliciting responses through semistructured
interview schedules.
In order to conduct a more in-depth analysis, eight interviews were held at various
early childhood care and development sites. The criteria for selection depended on
whether the participating caregiver had direct, hands-on experience of the day-to-day
care and running of ECCD sites. They also had to be involved in a full-time preschool
teaching programme and were purposively selected from the geographical
location of Manzini, in Swaziland. The sites could be distinguished into three
categories, namely: community (non-profit making), private and church or missionrun
centres. The results showed that caregivers implemented diverse and
uncoordinated practices and that there was no uniformity in terms of professional
training, classroom practice and curriculum application. It was evident that the
participants did not link the theory of their training to their practice, leaving gaps in
the provision of services and educational programmes to the children.
The study concluded that unless the government of Swaziland and the ECCD unit at
the national level of Education made a concerted effort to formulate a national ECCD
policy, Education for All would remain a pipedream. The study recommended that
government should formulate national ECCD policy guidelines to encourage
uniformity in practice and provision of ECCD sites. Not only should government
accelerate the development of the guidelines but they should also support the
caregivers by continuous professional development activities.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/4860 |
| Date | 20 May 2008 |
| Creators | Ntuli, Zethu Eugenia |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 423990 bytes, 21630 bytes, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf, application/pdf |
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