NOMINATIONS have started for the best early childhood development practitioners through the Absa and Sowetan ECD Awards. The champions will be honoured in Gauteng in December.

NOMINATIONS have started for the best early childhood development practitioners through the Absa and Sowetan ECD Awards. The champions will be honoured in Gauteng in December.

The awards are run in partnership with SABC Education, the national Education Department, the Department of Social Development, South African Congress for Early Childhood Development and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.

Awards are given for best ECD practitioner, home- based care centre, community-based care centre and best resource, training organisation and illustrious innovation in ECD practices or programmes.

These are the special people who are entrusted as architects in sculpting and moulding our pre-school children into well-rounded youngsters, ready for formal schooling with a solid foundation and passion.

These awards seek to enhance the professionalism of caregivers, teachers and managers of ECD centres, crèches and kindergartens and the institution's infrastructure and the staffers' academic development and competency, and to:

l Create a sector of highly skilled and motivated ECD resource and training organisations, home-based and community-based centres and practitioners;

l Contribute to children's development and nurturing in terms of health, nutrition, education, psychological and additional environmental factors and needs, within families and communities;

l Promote and recognise the excellence, hard work, dedication and investment in the future of children by ECD practitioners, centres and organisations;

l Post entries to SABC Education Outreach, Private Bag 345, Mellville, 2109.

For further details, telephone 086-22-22- 592 or fax 086-51-45 592.