Windhoek
The first 1 000 days of a child’s life are critical – this is from birth up to the second birthday. The early stages of a child’s life are also the time when a child’s impairments and challenges can be identified, early interventions and referrals made in order to avoid further problems, and when provision can be made for children with special needs.
These were the remarks of United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Deputy Representative Marcus Betts during the fifth anniversary celebration of the Rocky Crest Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre.
Betts said that during that period the development of the child is extraordinary – when physical development, brain development, language, emotional and social development all take place at a pace that is never repeated later in life.
“And if this critical period is threatened in any way, the later development potential of that child is stunted.”
The Rocky Crest ECD centre was established in 2011 with 10 children and currently has 120.
The City of Windhoek invested over N$15 million in the construction of this model multi-purpose community centre.Betts stated that the importance of a good start in life is emphasized in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, which recognize the family as the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members.
“Nations that invest wisely in their youngest citizens build the foundations for educational excellence, long-term well-being, economic productivity, successful communities and harmonious civil societies,” said Betts.
The national ECD coordinator in the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Develias Ngatjiisiue, said the ministry has 2164 ECD centres on record. The increase in the number of centres has also drastically increased access to ECD service provision but more still needs to be done.
More centre-based or other alternative and sustainable programmes for hard to reach populations such as children in remote rural areas and children on farms need to be initiated and supported.