Page 41 - BKCOB CSI Guide 2015

Cotlands

Cotlands is a non-profit early childhood
development organisation addressing the
education and social crisis by establishing early
learning playgroups and toy libraries in poor
communities to serve vulnerable children aged
from birth to six years old. In East London our
project reaches hundreds of children, who
access our four-hour high impact learning
playgroups twice a week. The two to four-year-old
playgroup gives children access to early learning
opportunities through play. Our programmes are
based on best practice principles designed to
ensure the holistic development of the children
we serve. A nutritious breakfast and lunch are
provided for each child attending early learning
playgroups. In some instances, Cotlands prepares
the meal but, wherever possible, we have
partnered with existing feeding schemes. The
early learning playgroups are presented by an
early learning facilitator (ELF). To ensure quality
and to minimise risks, each ELF has an assistant -
an unemployed youth from the community who
has an interest in ECD. To provide an integrated
service to our children, a nurse and social worker
visit the early learning groups regularly. We also
run a toy library in East London. Cotlands believes
that if every child has access to a toy library
which provides high quality early learning play
opportunities, he or she would have the required CONTACT DETAILS:
foundation to make it through formal schooling, to Patricia Gunn
pass matric, gain employment or to continue his Unit B13b BKB Building
or her studies and to contribute to the economic Fitzpatrick Rd
development of our country. East London
Tel: 043 722 0060
patricia@cotlands.org
www.cotlands.org

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