From 1 April 2022, the responsibility for Early Childhood Development (ECD) migrated from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education.

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) was so impressed with the Daily Programme Cards that Macmillan Teacher Campus (MTC) has developed for the different age groups between birth and four years old that the GDE purchased 2 500 sets! They requested one card to be added to the 0 – 18 months’ age group as well as the inclusion of their logo on the cards. Macmillan Education South Africa identified the need to mediate these cards to allow successful implementation in the classroom, and it was agreed that MTC would train 5 000 ECD practitioners.

MTC rolled out the first phase of the training on 3 August 2022 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. The training was attended by 27 officials from 15 districts across Gauteng. The purpose of this session was to empower the departmental officials to manage and support the implementation of the training throughout the province. They found the training to be extremely valuable as they only have experience in Grades R – 3. The training of the 5 000 ECD practitioners took place from 15 to 31 August 2022.