By Clarissa Louw, Headmistress of @Sandton-Kids Creche

The brain of a new-born is only 25% of its adult size, but rapidly grows in the first few years of life, forming over a million neural connections per second. This period of rapid brain development is crucial for a child's future learning, behaviour, and health, and quality early education and nurturing can help maximize their potential. During the first five years in a child's development, their experiences play a major role in shaping their development, so quality early education and nurturing can help maximize their potential.

Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres play a vital role in preparing children for school and promoting their physical, mental, and social development from birth to age 8, providing children with foundational skills necessary for later learning through play-based activities and experiences. Children who receive quality ECD education are more likely to have better academic and cognitive outcomes, better social-emotional development, and better self-regulation, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Why is ECD education so crucial in providing children with foundational skills they need for later learning through play-based activities and experiences? Children who receive quality ECD education are more likely to have better outcomes in academics, cognitive abilities, and social-emotional development, such as better self-regulation, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Quality early education can help fill achievement gaps and increase the likelihood of tertiary education later in life. Teachers and peer interactions in preschools are essential for a child's emotional, social, and physical development, as these experiences shape the adult they will become.

These are some general signs that can help you determine whether an ECD centre is well run and meets all the relevant criteria:

• Qualified and trained staff: Look for centres with teachers and staff who have the proper training, certification, and experience in early childhood education.
• Safe and clean environment: Ensure that the centre has a safe, clean, and well-maintained environment that promotes children's health and well-being.
• Age-appropriate activities and materials: Check that the centre provides a variety of age-appropriate activities and materials that support children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
• Positive interactions and relationships: Observe how teachers and staff interact with children and whether they provide supportive and nurturing interactions.
• Communication with families: A good ECD centre should have open communication with families, keeping them updated on their child's development and progress.
• Focus on play-based learning: Good ECD centres prioritize play-based learning, as play is a crucial component of children's development and learning.
• Flexibility and adaptation to individual needs: A good centre should be able to adapt to individual children's needs and provide a flexible and inclusive environment.
• Regular assessments and evaluations: The centre should regularly assess and evaluate children's progress to ensure they are on track for their developmental milestones.

Attending a quality ECD centre can have numerous benefits for a child's development, such as boosting their eagerness to learn, social skills, self-confidence, and attention span, as well as encouraging empathy, creativity, and teamwork.

So how do you choose the right Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre for your child? First you must determine your needs and priorities, take into consideration your child’s age, learning style, and any special needs they may have. The next step would be to research and compare centres. Look for centres that meet your needs and priorities and compare their offerings, location, cost, and hours of operation. Remember to check for accreditation from a recognized early childhood education organization, as this indicates they meet certain quality standards. Once you have a shortlist, visit the centre. Schedule a visit to observe the environment, the staff's interaction with children, and the activities and materials available. Do not be afraid to ask questions during your visit about the centre’s curriculum, policies, and procedures to ensure they align with your expectations. Getting feedback from families with children who attend the centre is also a great way to establish if that particular ECD centre would be a good fit for your family. Most importantly, trust your instincts. Choose a centre that you feel comfortable with and that you believe will provide a positive experience for your child.

By following these steps, you can choose the right ECD centre for your child and ensure that they receive the best possible start in their educational journey.

In conclusion, attending a quality ECD centre can boost a child's eagerness to learn, social skills, self-confidence, and attention span, as well as encourage empathy, creativity, and teamwork.

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For more information about @Sandton-Kids, enquiries can be directed to:
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Tel - 011 395 4777 (extension 150 or 151)
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ABOUT @SANDTON-KIDS
In the heart of Sandton, you will find @Sandton-Kids, a safe and nurturing environment for kids between the ages of 4 months and 5 years. The creche is located within the Acsiopolis precinct on Benmore Road which is also home to @Sandton-Apartments and @Sandton-Hotel.

ABOUT ACSIOPOLIS
Encompassing @Sandton-Apartments and @Sandton-Hotel, the Acsiopolis Building is the first multi-used lifestyle precinct in South Africa which includes a 561-room luxury hotel, 480 upmarket leased apartments, conferencing and event facilities (including an 80-seater auditorium), co-working space called Co Worx, an NCF curriculum nursery school, doctors’ rooms, physiotherapist, plastic surgeon, orthodontist, gym, clubhouse, deli, restaurant and spa.

Live, Work and Play… @Sandton-Apartments has been constructed with the residents’ lifestyle top of mind, catering to people at all stages of life from Millennials to Gen-X empty nesters. Making the move to at @Sandton comes with a myriad of on-site services from a weekday working space to weekend leisure activities.

ABOUT ACSION
Acsion Limited is a highly experienced, specialist property development and property holding company with in-house property and asset management functions. We are the only JSE-listed company dedicated to property development while reaping the rewards of our own developments as a landlord.

The name Acsion is a combination of the Greek word “Axion” – loosely translated as “worth it” and “action” – to act quickly and make things happen. This set of results demonstrates that the Company delivers on main strategy of continued NAV growth – hence the slogan “Acsion in action”.

Our Company
Acsion was founded by Mr Kiriakos Anastasiadis approximately 25 years ago. Through ingenuity, vision, value engineering and effective management, the Group expanded into the successful property development and property holdings company it is today.

Our Properties
Acsion's current portfolio of assets is independently valued at R9.8-billion with a GLA of 257 000sqm and comprises ten well-established, strategically located properties across South Africa.

Our Developments
Acsion continuously evaluates approximately 20 - 30 new development opportunities at any one time and is in various stages of discussions on certain projects to further enhance the capital growth of its business.

Our Investors
Through its development activities, Acsion is able to unlock development profits and thereafter generate annuity income and further capital growth for its shareholders.