Last year, we joined forces with our funder, Kamvalethu Foundation, and other organisations in our region—Jabulani Rural Health Foundation, Sustainable Coffee Bay, Educare Mpame and Layita Foundation—to establish the Wild Coast Early Childhood Development (ECD) Community of Practice (CoP). Since then, the initiative has grown into a quarterly workshop that brings together ECD practitioners from over 20 schools in our region to engage in collaborative learning, skills-sharing, and problem-solving.
At the beginning of this month, the Community of Practice hosted its third gathering. Held at the end of the term, these sessions give teachers a chance to reflect on their work, discuss challenges, and celebrate their progress. The weekend away also offers a rare opportunity for them to step outside their daily routines, reconnect with peers, and return to their classrooms feeling re-energised.
A key feature of the CoP is that it is intentionally practitioner-led. By keeping management involvement to a minimum, we hope to create a space where teachers feel confident stepping up, leading discussions, and openly sharing their experiences. We believe this independence will strengthen their leadership skills and deepen their sense of ownership over their professional development.
Each CoP gathering has been unique. Some sessions have featured teacher-led workshops on creative activities like arts and crafts, while others have included external partners presenting on key ECD topics, such as data management systems for subsidy compliance. However, much of the value of these short weekends lies in the informal moments—conversations over tea breaks or in the evenings when everyone has a chance to connect socially. It’s in these exchanges, whether sharing a challenge, exchanging contact details, or offering advice, that relationships are built. These connections extend beyond the gatherings, which help create a strong network of support that will benefit educators long after the weekend ends.
Though the CoP is still in its early stages, it is already proving to be a valuable space for collaboration and growth. We look forward to seeing how it continues to take shape and deepen its impact on early childhood education in our region.
