The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) is implementing a major programme to expand access to Grade R by pre-school of the province.

The programme this year includes building 111 classrooms at public schools to accommodate pre-school learners and training for 2 400 early childhood development (ECD) practitioners.

While Grade R, the reception year before learners start Grade 1, is currently not regarded as compulsory education, the WCED aims to provide universal access to Grade R to all 5/6-year old children in the province by the year 2010 or soonest thereafter.

A number of studies, including the national systemic assessment study of Grade 3 learners undertaken in 2001 as well as the provincial systemic evaluation conducted in 2004 and 2006 show a high correlation between reading and numeracy performance at the Grade 3 level and access to pre-school programmes.

In order to achieve universal access to Grade R, the WCED will provide funds for 4 000 additional Grade R learners per annum in public schools. Approximately 54% of the Grade R cohort is currently accommodated in such classes, while 46% of the Grade R age cohort is accommodated in community sites.

Young children learn through play and the WCED will continue to issue kits consisting of equipment for indoor and outdoor learning to selected public primary schools across the province. The learning and teaching support material is specially designed to develop and improve the learners' perceptual skills, gross and fine motor skills as well as literacy and numeracy skills.

Each Grade R practitioner at such a school will receive training in the use of the equipment. Support for learning will be provided by creating print-rich classroom environments, which are conducive to teaching and learning

24 Model Grade R classes at public primary schools will be maintained across the Western Cape. These sites will be used to demonstrate best practice and for in-service training for all Grade R practitioners and Foundation Phase teachers in their respective communities.

To ensure greater access Grade R learners in rural districts are also included in the Learner Transport Scheme from this year.