It is both a privilege and a responsibility to serve as the Head of the Department of Early Childhood Education at the University of Pretoria. Our Department has a proud history rooted in a deep commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Since its establishment in 2001, the Department has grown from strength to strength, evolving to meet the changing needs of early childhood education in South Africa and beyond.

We are driven by the belief that the earliest years of a child’s life are critical for laying the foundation for lifelong learning and development. Our academic programmes are designed to equip prospective and practising educators with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to foster nurturing, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating learning environments for young children. Grounded in evidence-based practice and informed by both local and global scholarship, our curriculum remains responsive to policy shifts and emerging trends in the field.

Our staff are dedicated scholars and passionate educators who contribute significantly to national and international dialogues on early childhood education. Through their research and professional activities, they continue to shape the field and mentor the next generation of educators, researchers, and leaders.

As a Department, we strive to remain at the forefront of pedagogical innovation while upholding values of equity, social justice, and child-centred practice. We welcome students, partners, and stakeholders who share our vision of creating high-quality learning experiences for all young children.