Zimbabweans can boast some of the highest literacy rates in the region — and possibly the entire continent of Africa.  In just a few decades, starting with only University at Independence, a string of universities has sprung up across Zimbabwe’s provinces, making higher education much more attainable to locals than in years past, when many felt their only real option was to seek higher education in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, among other places. 

But before students can attend university or college, they must pass high school, and primary school before that, and, ideally, pre-school before that.  Early child development (ECD) may be at the bottom of the educational ecosystem, but it lays the foundation for those who train to become the next generation of teachers, doctors, engineers, economists, and other professionals.

Parents play a key role in imparting life skills to their children and advocating for their education, but ultimately they must rely on others to educate their children - and put them on the path to higher education.  This is where early childhood development (ECD) centers come in.  ECD centers are increasingly located in Zimbabwe’s high-density locations, making them accessible to families that may not have the means to buy a motor vehicle.  Parents can walk their children to local ECD centers, which typically accommodate toddlers to those aged 8.  Monthly fees range from $10-$200.

Pre-schools and activities

Pre-schools in Zimbabwe play a pivotal role for these budding learners by preparing them for the first year of formal primary school.  The centers’ general motto is "catch them young.” Children are introduced to a variety of activities, including scribbling, painting, drawing, and molding with dough. Picture reading helps them grasp a narrative and encourages them to form their own story from the pictures.  These and other indoor play activities enhance finger dexterity and foster development of fine motor skills.

Outdoor play, meanwhile, includes physical activities like climbing trees, running, swimming, and riding toy cars.  These physical activities enhance gross motor skills by engaging big muscle movement so that the learners will be physically fit. They also build social skills and confidence by encouraging the children to experiment and discover new things as they play together.  After mastering these activities and concepts, children are prepared for the first grade of primary schools, known as grade one.

Regulation

Any enterprising individual can establish an ECD facility as long they have sufficient resources to provide the learners with a play-and-learn environment. Ideally, facilities have access to swings, jumping castles, toys, and books, among other educational tools.  To ensure high educational standards, many ECD centers follow Maria Montessori's theory of learning.

While there is no official designation of how many centers should exist for a specific population, local demand drives the establishment of new schools.  Many owners convert their homes into ECD centers, which should be registered with the municipal council for health checks.

Creating a successful ECD center 

Successful ECD centers share a number of common elements.  One critical element is qualified educators.  Strong teachers help to maintain good standards and attract parents, which, in turn, helps the center maintain and even expand its enrollment.  For teachers of young children, patience and creativity are particularly important, along with the ability to effectively educate those from a wide range of backgrounds and with diverse learning needs.  Staff with specialized training allows for the accommodation of special-needs children.

Classroom set-up is another important factor.  Ideally, classrooms should be divided into distinct learning areas devoted to reading, science and technology, physical education, drama, music, art, and culture, among others. A typical student-teacher ratio is 20-1, although the social distancing required by Covid-19 has led to a decrease in the ratio.  

Scheduling is also an important consideration.  Working parents often prefer to drop their children off for a full day, so ECD centers generally open early to accommodate early drop-offs.  

Challenges

ECD centers are not without their challenges.  Chronic power outages and shortages in supplies of essential goods, like bread, can disrupt the educational process.  Toys and other play materials may have to be imported from other countries.  And while the Nziramasanga Commission of Inquiry found that every child has a right to education, regardless of income, some children are unable to attend because of their families’ financial constraints.  

Conclusion

While they don’t always receive a lot of attention, ECD centers play a vital role in the educational process and the expansion of Zimbabwe’s professional class.  The skills taught by ECD centers give children a leg up when their parents seek to place them in a primary school, and help instill the importance of education at a young age.  These centers will likely continue to play a pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s educational system.