I am Professor Nkhensani Susan Thuketana, the Head of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Department at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. 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. The Department offers two specialised programmes: Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), which prepares teachers to work with children aged 0–4 years, and Early Childhood Education and Foundation Phase Teaching, designed for teachers of learners aged 5–8 years.
We welcome passionate student teachers to enroll in these programmes and help shape the future of education in South Africa and beyond. By joining the ECD programs, you will develop the expertise needed to nurture young learners and provide them with a strong educational foundation. Additionally, you will acquire adaptable skills to identify learning difficulties and support holistic development in diverse contexts, enabling you to make a meaningful impact on children's lives.
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.