Ntataise Network Support

One of Ntataise’s greatest success stories is the development and growth of a Network which is one of the strongest of its kind in the country. In the early years Ntataise began supporting similar organisations across the county by providing training, capacity building and information on the most recent development in the sector. The Network now has 21 self-sufficient and independent member organisations in seven of South Africa’s nine provinces.

We believe that collaboration and cooperation in the ECD sector is crucial if ECD services are going to be expanded and improved, especially in disadvantaged rural communities where the need is intense. Ntataise Network members share this view, and recognise that working in silos weakens provision. The Network offers ways in which they can stay in touch with developments in the sector, and build on opportunities for working with others to strengthen their own programmes.

The Ntataise Network members use Ntataise’s ECD programmes and models to deliver services to vulnerable and marginalised children through the women they work with. Ntataise’s quality programmes are offered to the Network, including all learning and resource materials, assessment, toolkits, and monitoring and evaluation systems.

Ntataise runs the Ntataise Network Support Programme which provides: 

  • Organisational development for Network Directors
  • Special training for trainers
  • A mentoring programme which helps member organisations to take a critical look at the programmes they offer, their implementation and relevance
  • A platform for members to learn from each other, share ideas and keep abreast of new developments in the sector
  • Facilitation of linkages with government and other sector stakeholders in support of cohesion in the ECD sector.

The Ntataise Network Support Programme develops Network members’ capacity as sustainable, capable, independent organisations which deliver high quality training and development programmes and ongoing support to ECD practitioners working in disadvantaged, largely rural communities.

The programme has strengthened the leadership, training, management and administration capacity of all the Ntataise Network members. This is evidenced in the ability of these organisations to be recognised as solid agencies offering recognised training and support in the diverse geographic areas in which they operate. This programme has had a considerable impact on ECD in South Africa and significantly improved the standard and quality of learning programmes offered to pre-school aged children in some of South Africa’s most marginalised communities.