Programme Planning Calendar

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Pre-Grade R & Grade R — Play-Based Foundations

Weekly 2hr centre visits for mentorship & co-teaching, practitioner training, parent workshops, emergent literacy & pre-numeracy, developmental screening, and Grade 1 transition. No Saturday or Vacation classes. MTbBE core (isiXhosa & English).

Centre Visits (weekly)· 40Practitioner Trainings· 4Parent Workshops· 4School Readiness Sessions

Programme Planning Calendar

Pre-Primary & ECD Programme — Pre-Grade R & Grade R. Weekly 2hr centre visits for mentorship & co-teaching. Practitioner training, parent workshops, emergent literacy & pre-numeracy, school readiness. No Saturday or Vacation classes. MTbBE core (isiXhosa & English). Play-based learning.

JIT Workshops are scheduled over 3 days (Friday → Sunday) at the start of each term. Align to Timeline will auto-set JIT dates to the first Friday of each term.

Phase 1

Foundation & Setup

Jan–Mar

Phase 2

Activation & Deepening

Apr–Jun

Phase 3

Pre-Numeracy & Readiness

Jul–Sep

Phase 4

Transition & Close-Out

Oct–Dec

11 / 40

Centre Visits (weekly)

5 / 4

Practitioner Trainings

3 / 4

Parent Workshops

School Readiness Sessions

Type	Activity	Subjects	Notes
Situational Analysis	Situational Analysis & ECD Centre Mapping		Assess ECD centres, practitioner capacity, community context, child demographics, and infrastructure. Identify target centres and Grade R classrooms.
Community Engagement	Stakeholder Engagement & MoU Finalisation		Engage ECD centres, partner primary schools, DBE district, DSD, and community leaders. Finalise MoUs defining roles, responsibilities, and resource commitments.
Developmental Screening	Baseline ECD Assessment & Developmental Screening	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)Pre-Numeracy / Early MathsSchool Readiness	Administer age-appropriate baseline assessments for all Pre-Grade R and Grade R children. Conduct developmental screening for at-risk identification. Capture data in QMS.
Practitioner Training	Practitioner Induction & Capacity Baseline		Induct Pre-Grade R practitioners and Grade R teachers into programme. Complete baseline capacity assessment of each practitioner. Configure QMS profiles. Prioritise practitioners with isiXhosa proficiency.
Resource Distribution	Bilingual Resource Procurement & Distribution	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)Emergent Literacy (English)Pre-Numeracy / Early Maths	Procure and distribute bilingual picture books (isiXhosa-English), dual-language flashcards, manipulatives, alphabet charts, and classroom library kits. Train practitioners on resource use.
Practitioner Training	Practitioner Training 1 — ECD Pedagogy & Play-Based Learning	Life SkillsCreative ArtsEmergent Literacy (Home Language)	Structured training on ECD pedagogy, play-based learning, and the NCF for ECD. All practitioners attend. Materials provided. Document attendance in QMS.
ECD Centre Visit & Mentorship	Centre Visits — January Cycle (Weekly, 2hr each)	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)MTbBE – Mother Tongue Instruction	2hr centre visits. Classroom observation, co-teaching of emergent literacy activities, mentorship feedback. Focus: oral language and vocabulary development.
ECD Centre Visit & Mentorship	Centre Visits — February Cycle (Weekly, 2hr each)	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)Pre-Numeracy / Early MathsMTbBE – Mother Tongue Instruction	2hr centre visits. Focus: phonological awareness, shared reading, bilingual storytelling. Mentorship and co-teaching.
Parent / Caregiver Workshop	Parent Orientation & Reading at Home Workshop 1	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)	Parent workshops: importance of early language, reading at home, creating literacy-rich home environments. Distribute parent reading guides in isiXhosa. Establish parent reading committees.
ECD Centre Visit & Mentorship	Centre Visits — March Cycle (Weekly, 2hr each)	Pre-Numeracy / Early MathsMTbBE – Mother Tongue Instruction	2hr centre visits. Focus: number concept development, counting, sorting, patterning through play-based activities.
Play-Based Learning Session	Play-Based Learning — Term 1 Focus Activities	Creative ArtsPhysical DevelopmentLife Skills	Daily play-based activities integrated into classroom routines. Focus: fine motor skills, sensory play, dramatic play, and outdoor exploration.
MANCO Meeting	MANCO Meeting 1 — Programme Launch Review		Review Term 1 setup progress. Confirm centre engagement, practitioner buy-in, resource distribution status. Plan Term 2 activities.
Report Submission	Term 1 Progress Report Submission		Submit to funder and DBE. Include baseline assessment data, practitioner capacity assessment, resource distribution status, parent engagement numbers.

Type	Activity	Subjects	Notes
MANCO Meeting	MANCO Meeting 2 — Term 2 Planning		Review Term 1 outcomes. Plan Term 2 training and visit focus areas. Confirm parent workshop schedule and community engagement activities.
Practitioner Training	Practitioner Training 2 — Emergent Literacy & MTbBE	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)Emergent Literacy (English)MTbBE – Mother Tongue Instruction	Training on emergent literacy instruction, phonological awareness, and MTbBE principles for young learners. Bilingual delivery strategies and culturally responsive storytelling.
ECD Centre Visit & Mentorship	Centre Visits — April Cycle (Weekly, 2hr each)	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)MTbBE – Mother Tongue Instruction	2hr centre visits. Focus: letter-sound recognition, shared reading, emergent writing (drawing, tracing, name writing).
Parent / Caregiver Workshop	Parent Workshop 2 — Supporting Language at Home	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)	Parent workshops: bilingual storytelling at home, vocabulary building through daily routines, songs and games in Home Language. Distribute take-home reading packs.
ECD Centre Visit & Mentorship	Centre Visits — May Cycle (Weekly, 2hr each)	Pre-Numeracy / Early MathsMTbBE – Mother Tongue Instruction	2hr centre visits. Focus: one-to-one correspondence, number recognition (1-10), shape and space, measurement through play.
Community Engagement	Community ECD Forum — Collaboration & Awareness		Bring together ECD centres, primary schools, community leaders, DSD, and local NGOs. Discuss early learning, share best practices, plan joint community reading events.
ECD Centre Visit & Mentorship	Centre Visits — June Cycle (Weekly, 2hr each)	Emergent Literacy (English)Social-Emotional LearningMTbBE – Mother Tongue Instruction	2hr centre visits. Focus: oral language in English (L2) through songs and routines, social-emotional learning activities.
Developmental Screening	Mid-Year ECD Assessment	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)Pre-Numeracy / Early MathsSchool Readiness	Assess progress against baseline. Identify children requiring targeted support. Update QMS with growth data.
Report Submission	Term 2 Progress Report Submission		Include mid-year assessment data, practitioner training attendance, parent workshop outcomes, centre visit summaries, community engagement report.

Type	Activity	Subjects	Notes
MANCO Meeting	MANCO Meeting 3 — Mid-Year Review		Review mid-year assessment data. Identify at-risk children. Adapt delivery focus. Plan pre-numeracy intensive and school readiness programme.
Practitioner Training	Practitioner Training 3 — Pre-Numeracy & School Readiness	Pre-Numeracy / Early MathsSchool ReadinessMTbBE – Mother Tongue Instruction	Training on pre-numeracy instruction using manipulatives, number sense development, and school readiness assessment. Prepare practitioners for Grade 1 transition support.
ECD Centre Visit & Mentorship	Centre Visits — July Cycle (Weekly, 2hr each)	Pre-Numeracy / Early MathsMTbBE – Mother Tongue Instruction	2hr centre visits. Focus: targeted pre-numeracy intervention for children flagged in mid-year assessment. Number concept consolidation.
Parent / Caregiver Workshop	Parent Workshop 3 — Numeracy at Home & School Readiness	Pre-Numeracy / Early MathsSchool Readiness	Parent workshops: counting and sorting at home, supporting school readiness, preparing children (and parents) for Grade 1 transition. Distribute school readiness kits.
ECD Centre Visit & Mentorship	Centre Visits — August Cycle (Weekly, 2hr each)	School ReadinessEmergent Literacy (Home Language)Social-Emotional Learning	2hr centre visits. Focus: school readiness activities — following instructions, social skills, emotional regulation, familiarity with Grade 1 routines.
School Readiness Session	School Readiness Intensive Programme — Grade R	School ReadinessEmergent Literacy (Home Language)Pre-Numeracy / Early Maths	Intensive school readiness programme for Grade R children. Pre-literacy and pre-numeracy consolidation, social-emotional readiness, familiarity with primary school environment.
ECD Centre Visit & Mentorship	Centre Visits — September Cycle (Weekly, 2hr each)	School ReadinessEmergent Literacy (English)	2hr centre visits. Focus: Grade 1 transition preparation, English (L2) vocabulary for school, classroom routine familiarity.
Developmental Screening	Term 3 School Readiness Assessment	School ReadinessEmergent Literacy (Home Language)Pre-Numeracy / Early Maths	Assess school readiness indicators for all Grade R children. Identify children needing additional support before Grade 1 transition.
Report Submission	Term 3 Progress Report Submission		Include school readiness assessment data, pre-numeracy progress, parent workshop outcomes, transition readiness summary.

Type	Activity	Subjects	Notes
MANCO Meeting	MANCO Meeting 4 — Transition Planning & Close-Out		Plan Grade 1 transition activities. Confirm receiving primary schools. Prepare endline assessments and close-out review.
Grade 1 Transition Activity	Grade 1 Transition Programme — Primary School Visits	School ReadinessLife Skills	Grade R children visit receiving primary schools. Familiarisation with Grade 1 classrooms, teachers, and routines. Coordinate with receiving primary schools for smooth transition.
ECD Centre Visit & Mentorship	Centre Visits — October Cycle (Weekly, 2hr each)	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)Pre-Numeracy / Early MathsSchool Readiness	2hr centre visits. Final cycle: consolidation, learner celebration preparation, endline assessment preparation.
Practitioner Training	Practitioner Training 4 — Sustainability & Handover		Reflect on year. Build practitioner capacity to sustain practices independently. Handover resources, lesson plans, and assessment tools. Plan peer learning communities.
Developmental Screening	Endline ECD Assessment — All Children	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)Emergent Literacy (English)Pre-Numeracy / Early MathsSchool Readiness	Final endline assessment. Compare to baseline and mid-year. Measure programme impact on emergent literacy, pre-numeracy, and school readiness. Disaggregate by age, gender, centre.
Community Engagement	Grade R School Readiness Celebration & Community Showcase	School ReadinessCreative ArtsLife Skills	Celebrate children's readiness for Grade 1. Community showcase of ECD programme outcomes. Parents, community leaders, and receiving primary school teachers invited.
ECD Centre Visit & Mentorship	Centre Visits — November Cycle (Weekly, 2hr each)	Emergent Literacy (Home Language)MTbBE – Mother Tongue Instruction	Final cycle: bilingual storytelling, oral language celebration, practitioner handover and sustainability planning.
Workshop	Joint Review Session — DBE, DSD, ECD Centres & Community		Present endline data and programme outcomes to stakeholders. Discuss lessons learnt. Co-design next year's plan. Plan for expansion to additional centres.
Resource Distribution	ECD Replication Toolkit Publication & Sustainability Plan		Compile ECD Replication Toolkit: bilingual emergent literacy lesson plans, pre-numeracy activity guides, practitioner training modules, mentorship framework, parental engagement guide, M&E tools.
Report Submission	Final Annual Report Submission		Comprehensive year-end report: baseline-to-endline growth data, school readiness outcomes, practitioner capacity growth, parent engagement, community collaboration, replication readiness.

This is a planning template for the Pre-Primary & ECD programme. Activities and milestones shown are age-appropriate defaults — you can drag activities between terms, edit dates inline, or add new activities. To persist a calendar against a specific branch plan, save it via the STEM Program Planning editor.