Holding Hands, Building Futures: An Impact Study of the NECDA Parenting Programme in the North-West Province

Holding Hands, Building Futures: An Impact Study of the NECDA Parenting Programme in the North-West Province

Dale Trimble^*, Dr. Firdous Khan

Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU), Cape Town South Africa

^*Corresponding author

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.907000482

Received: 14 July 2025; Accepted: 22 July 2025; Published: 23 August 2025

ABSTRACT

This study rigorously evaluates the impact of the National Early Childhood Development Alliance (NECDA) Parenting Support Programme in South Africa’s North West Province.  Employing a mixed-methods design, quantitative and qualitative data were systematically collected from eight participating parents/caregivers and seven key stakeholders, including community leaders, partner organisations, and government officials.  Findings reveal that the programme significantly enhanced participants’ parenting knowledge and skills, specifically in areas such as healthy family relationships, child nutrition, and safety.  Participants reported improved child-parent communication, stronger emotional bonds, and increased awareness of critical health and developmental milestones.

While the programme demonstrably boosted caregiver confidence and facilitated access to community services, the study identifies opportunities for improvement.  These include the need for increased male caregiver involvement, enhanced mental health support, and deeper integration with formal digital literacy initiatives.  The findings underscore the programme’s vital role in strengthening the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector within resource-constrained environments.  Recommendations for future development, scale, and sustainability emphasise culturally relevant and comprehensive parenting support to optimise child outcomes, acknowledging the limitations of a small, cross-sectional sample and potential positive response bias.

Keywords:  Early Childhood Development (ECD), Parenting Support, Caregiver Empowerment, Mixed-Methods Impact Study, Rural South Africa

INTRODUCTION

Early Childhood Development (ECD) is globally recognised as a foundational stage for human capital formation, profoundly influencing long-term health, educational attainment, and socio-economic participation (Ang , et al., 2023).  Investing in ECD is a strategic imperative in South Africa, a nation grappling with persistent inequalities and socio-economic disparities, to break cycles of poverty and promote equitable development.  The North West Province, characterised by its predominantly rural demographics and varying access to essential services, presents a challenging yet crucial context for effective ECD interventions (Aubrey, 2016).

The National Early Childhood Development Alliance (NECDA) is a pivotal network of ECD resource and training organisations, along with sector experts, dedicated to strengthening the ECD landscape across South Africa.  NECDA’s core mission revolves around capacity building, delivering high-quality training, and providing valuable resources to optimise outcomes for young children.  Within this broader framework, NECDA’s Parenting Support Programme is a flagship initiative, meticulously designed to empower parents, primary caregivers, and community members (National ECD Alliance, 2025).  The programme explicitly targets primary caregivers, a diverse group encompassing biological parents, siblings, and grandparents of children up to five years old. It delivers its comprehensive content through 11 interactive sessions, covering essential thematic areas critical for holistic child development, including children’s rights, fostering healthy family relationships, ensuring optimal health and nutrition, leveraging play and creativity for learning, promoting physical and social development, nurturing emotional well-being, prioritising child safety, and implementing positive discipline strategies (National ECD Alliance, 2025).

To systematically evaluate the efficacy and impact of this vital programme in the North West Province, the Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU) conducted an in-depth impact study.  The study’s methodological design was predicated on capturing the nuanced perspectives of two key participant groups: the parents and caregivers who directly engaged in the training, and stakeholders comprising community leaders, partner organisations, and government official’s integral to the programme’s implementation and broader support ecosystem.  This comprehensive approach aimed to provide a holistic understanding of the programme’s influence.  The study was executed explicitly on April 8, 2025, spanning two key districts within the North West Province:  Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Ngaka Modiri Molema.  A total of 15 participants actively contributed to the study, comprising eight parents and caregivers and seven dedicated stakeholders.

The overarching purpose of this paper is to delineate the findings of this impact study, thereby illuminating how the NECDA Parenting Support Programme has demonstrably influenced parenting practices, advanced child development, and contributed to overall family well-being from the unique viewpoints of both the programme’s direct beneficiaries and its foundational supporting stakeholders.  Furthermore, the findings are utilised to identify critical areas warranting improvement and to provide actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing the programme’s effectiveness, broadening its reach, and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

Aim

The primary objective of this impact study was to rigorously assess the effect of the NECDA Parenting Support Programme on parenting skills, child development indicators, and overall family well-being within the North West Province.  The study aimed to assess the programme’s operational effectiveness and identify specific areas for strategic improvement, with the ultimate goal of optimising support for caregivers and children across the region.

METHODOLOGY

Research Setting

The study was conducted in the North West Province of South Africa, with a specific focus on the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Ngaka Modiri Molema districts.  These regions are characterised by a heterogeneous mix of urban and rural communities, many of which contend with a range of socio-economic challenges that significantly impact the developmental trajectories of families and young children.  Within this context, the NECDA Parenting Support Programme is strategically deployed, aiming to bolster parenting practices in disadvantaged areas and thereby foster improved Early Childhood Development outcomes (National ECD Alliance, 2025).

Research Design

To provide a comprehensive and robust understanding of the programme’s multifaceted impact, a mixed-methods research design was meticulously adopted.  This design systematically integrated the collection of quantitative data through structured survey questionnaires with qualitative data obtained via focused group discussions and in-depth individual interviews (Asenahabi, 2019).  The deliberate combination of these methodologies facilitated the triangulation of findings, enhancing the validity and reliability of the conclusions drawn. Furthermore, this approach yielded richer, more nuanced insights into the lived experiences and perceptions of the programme’s participants (Creswell & Creswell, 2018).

Sampling and Participants

The study employed a purposive sampling strategy, deliberately targeting two distinct participant groups to ensure a broad and representative spectrum of perspectives on the programme’s operation and impact (Makwana, Engineer, Dabhi, & Chudasama, 2023).  The first group comprised Parents and Caregivers, representing the primary recipients and beneficiaries of the Parenting Support Programme.  Eight parents and caregivers who had actively participated in the programme were carefully selected.  Their feedback provided direct insights into their experiences, the practical learning outcomes derived from the sessions, and any challenges encountered in applying the acquired knowledge and skills within their family contexts.  The second group consisted of Stakeholders, encompassing seven individuals representing diverse roles within the programme’s broader ecosystem.  This included community leaders, representatives from partner organisations, and officials from governmental bodies involved in the programme’s delivery and oversight.  Their contributions focused on the mechanics of programme implementation, strategies for community engagement, and broader systemic challenges or opportunities relevant to the programme’s success.  All selected participants were actively engaged with the programme and expressed willingness to share their perspectives.

Before any data collection commenced, all participants were provided with comprehensive consent forms, which clearly outlined the study’s objectives, procedures, and their rights.  Participation was entirely voluntary, and participants were assured of their right to withdraw at any time without consequence (Makwana, Engineer, Dabhi, & Chudasama, 2023).  For qualitative data collection segments, explicit consent was obtained from participants to audio-record the sessions, a measure implemented to facilitate accurate transcription and subsequent analysis (Cacciattolo, 2015).

DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Quantitative Data Collection

Quantitative data were systematically collected through the administration of a short, structured survey questionnaire (Creswell & Creswell, 2018). This instrument was specifically designed for parents and caregivers to capture measurable indicators relevant to the programme’s evaluation. Key data points collected included session attendance rates, participants’ perceived usefulness of the training content, their reported confidence levels in applying newly acquired knowledge, and their access to pertinent resources related to parenting and child development.

Qualitative Data Collection

Qualitative data were gathered through a combination of focus group discussions and individual in-depth interviews (Creswell & Creswell, 2018).  Separate focus group discussions were meticulously conducted: one specifically with the cohort of eight parents and caregivers, and another with the seven identified stakeholders.  This segregation allowed for an open and uninhibited dialogue within a comfortable and peer-supportive setting for each group.  In addition to the focus groups, individual interviews were conducted with key informants among the stakeholder group.  These one-on-one sessions provided an opportunity for a deeper exploration of specific insights, allowing for a more granular understanding of programme strengths, challenges, and opportunities for improvement from the perspective of those directly involved in its strategic implementation and oversight (Creswell & Creswell, 2018).

Data Quality, Analysis, and Limitations

Maintaining rigorous data quality was paramount throughout the study.  This was ensured through several meticulous steps, including the careful design of survey instruments, the consistent and skilled facilitation of all focus groups by experienced moderators, and the thorough transcription of all recorded discussions to ensure accuracy and completeness of qualitative data (Hassenstein & Vanella, 2022).  Quantitative data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis.  This involved calculating frequencies, percentages, and means to effectively summarise participation rates, discern trends in feedback, and establish confidence levels reported by participants, aiming to provide a clear, numerical overview of the programme’s reach and initial perceived impact (Hassenstein & Vanella, 2022).  Qualitative data underwent a systematic thematic analysis. This process involved iteratively reviewing transcripts to identify recurring patterns, key concepts, and overarching themes that emerged from the participants’ narratives.  Thematic analysis also enabled the identification of contrasting views between parents/caregivers and stakeholders, providing a richer, multidimensional understanding of the programme’s influence and areas for potential refinement (Hassenstein & Vanella, 2022).

Despite the comprehensive nature of the mixed-methods design, certain limitations warrant acknowledgement (Asenahabi, 2019).  The relatively small sample size, comprising 15 participants in total, may inherently limit the generalisability of the findings to the broader population of programme beneficiaries or other geographical contexts.  Furthermore, the study’s cross-sectional design provided a snapshot of the programme’s impact at a specific point in time, thereby precluding the ability to track changes or developmental trajectories longitudinally (Creswell & Creswell, 2018).  Additionally, participant selection was limited to individuals actively involved in the programme, which could introduce a positive response bias, where participants might express more favourable views due to their direct engagement and vested interest.

Ethical Considerations

The study strictly adhered to all prevailing ethical standards governing research involving human participants. Prior to any data collection, informed consent was meticulously obtained from all individuals who agreed to participate (Cacciattolo, 2015).  This process involved providing clear and comprehensive information regarding the study’s objectives, methodologies, potential benefits, and any foreseeable risks.  Confidentiality was assured to all participants, and stringent measures were implemented to protect their privacy and anonymity throughout the data collection, analysis, and reporting phases. Participants were explicitly informed of their unequivocal right to withdraw from the study at any point, without prejudice or consequence.  To safeguard participant identities, all data were rigorously anonymised during the analysis and subsequent reporting of findings (Cacciattolo, 2015).

FINDING AND RESULTS

Caregiver Participation and Perceived Usefulness

The quantitative findings from parents and caregivers demonstrated a high level of engagement and a predominantly positive perception of the NECDA Parenting Support Programme.  A significant proportion of participating caregivers, specifically two-thirds (66.7%), reported having completed all eleven sessions, underscoring a substantial commitment to the full training curriculum.  This high completion rate indicates not only the accessibility but also the sustained relevance of the programme for its beneficiaries.  Table 1 provides a detailed breakdown of caregiver participation and their perceptions of the usefulness of training and session length.

TABLE 1: Caregiver Participation and Perception of Training (Usefulness & Length)

Regarding the perceived usefulness of the training, 60% of parents and caregivers indicated the sessions were helpful, with an additional 33.3% rating them as very helpful. Only a small minority (6.7%) expressed disagreement, collectively indicating an overwhelmingly positive reception to the training content and delivery. In terms of session duration, a majority of participants (53.3%) found the length of individual sessions to be appropriate, with an additional 26.7% strongly agreeing with this assessment.  Furthermore, most parents (86.7%) felt the overall length of the training programme was just right, while a small proportion (13.3%) found it to be too long.  This suggests that the programme’s pacing and duration largely align with the needs and preferences of participants.  The accessibility of the training location also played a role in participation. While 66.7% of respondents rated the location as moderately accessible, 20% found it to be very close, indicating good accessibility for a segment of the participants.  Conversely, 13.3% considered the location to be very far, suggesting that geographical barriers may still impede access for some potential beneficiaries.

Programme Impact on Child Development Knowledge and Practical Application

The programme’s impact on caregivers’ understanding and application of child development principles was significant, as presented in Table 2.

TABLE 2: Caregiver Perceptions of Enhanced Child Development (Knowledge and Application Confidence)

When asked about the programme’s impact on their knowledge of child development, a substantial 73.3% of caregivers agreed that the training enhanced their understanding of key topics, with the remaining 26.7% strongly agreeing.  This indicates a near-universal perception among participants of improved foundational knowledge.  Furthermore, caregivers expressed high confidence in their ability to apply the knowledge they had gained, particularly in child development topics such as nutrition, stimulation, and health.  Specifically, 66.7% expressed confidence, and 33.3% reported feeling very confident in this regard.  In terms of practical skill development, 66.7% of caregivers perceived a significant improvement (“a lot”) in their abilities to support child development, while 25% noted “some” improvement.  Only 8.3% perceived no improvement in skills, reinforcing the programme’s effectiveness in skill transfer.

Most Helpful Sessions and Aspects

Caregivers identified specific sessions and aspects of the training that they found particularly beneficial, as detailed in Table 3.

TABLE 3: Caregivers’ Perception of Most Helpful (Sessions and Training Aspects)

When asked which specific session was most helpful, nearly half (46.7%) of caregivers identified the “Healthy Family Relationships” session as the most valuable.  This highlights the critical importance of socio-emotional and relational content for caregivers in the North West context. Most caregivers (86.7%) also felt they had adequate resources to apply the knowledge gained through the programme.  In comparison, 13.3% disagreed, indicating a generally supportive environment for practice but also pockets of resource limitation.  Qualitative feedback further illuminated the programme’s practical impact.  Caregivers reported heightened awareness and improved behaviours related to child nutrition, immunisation, and general preventative health, leading to healthier children.  Many also highlighted the need for increased vigilance regarding child safety within both home and Early Childhood Development (ECD) environments, contributing to the creation of safer developmental spaces.  One caregiver articulated this shift, stating: “It helped me a lot with raising the child not to leave the harmful things lying around, even when the child is taken to the ECD, I should make sure whether the place is safe”.  Participants frequently noted improved communication and emotional bonding with their children, fostering secure attachments and more effective behaviour management strategies.  Furthermore, the programme increased awareness and promoted inclusion for children with disabilities, actively addressing stigma and facilitating their social and cognitive development.

Future Training Needs Identified by Caregivers

Caregivers also expressed clear preferences for the expansion of future training content, as summarised in Table 4.

TABLE 4: Caregivers’ Identified Future Training Needs

A majority of parents (53.3%) expressed interest in expanding future training to include targeted support for fathers and male caregivers.  This highlights a perceived gap in current programming and a desire for more inclusive caregiving models.  Additionally, a significant proportion (26.7%) advocated for the establishment of community-based resource centres, indicating a need for more accessible and sustained support mechanisms beyond the formal training sessions.  Enhanced mental health support was also identified as a priority by 20% of caregivers, underscoring the growing recognition of mental well-being as integral to effective parenting.

Stakeholder Involvement and Perceptions of Programme Usefulness

Stakeholder involvement is crucial for programme effectiveness and sustainability.  Table 5 details the profile of stakeholders engaged in the study and their perceptions of the programme’s usefulness and session length.

TABLE 5: Stakeholder Profile and Perceptions of Programme (Usefulness and Length)

Most stakeholders were community leaders (83.3%), with the remainder representing partner organisations (16.7%).  All participating stakeholders (100%) reported completing all 11 training sessions, indicating a high level of engagement from programme implementers and supporters. In terms of the usefulness of the training sessions, 50% of stakeholders found them helpful, while 33.3% considered them very helpful.  However, 16.7% expressed disagreement, suggesting a need to refine content or delivery for some stakeholders.  Regarding the appropriateness of session length, 50% responded neutrally, while 33.3% strongly agreed and 16.7% agreed that the duration was appropriate.  Opinions were split evenly on the overall training length, with half considering it too long and the other half finding it just right.  Training location accessibility varied, with 50% finding it very close, 33.3% moderately accessible, and 16.7% very far.

Stakeholder Perceptions of Impact on Child Development Knowledge and Caregiver Empowerment

Stakeholders also provided insights into the programme’s impact on child development knowledge and caregiver empowerment, as detailed in Table 6.

TABLE 6: Stakeholder Perceptions of Programme Impact on Child Development (Knowledge and Caregiver Empowerment)

When asked about the training’s impact on their knowledge of child development topics (nutrition, stimulation, health), half of the stakeholders strongly disagreed that it enhanced their knowledge, and an additional 16.7% disagreed.  This contrasts sharply with caregiver perceptions, suggesting that the training is primarily beneficial for caregivers rather than for stakeholders who already possess some foundational knowledge.  However, 83.3% of stakeholders identified “Healthy Family Relationships” as the most valuable topic, highlighting its importance.  All stakeholders (100%) agreed that the programme successfully increased parents’/caregivers’ confidence in their roles, underscoring its effectiveness in empowerment.  Similarly, 100% of stakeholders agreed that the training helped parents/caregivers understand how to access various community services and that the training content was easy to understand.

Stakeholder Recommendations for Programme Improvement and Future Topics

Stakeholders identified specific areas for programme improvement and suggested additional topics for future training sessions, as presented in Table 7.

Table 7: Stakeholder Recommendations for Programme Improvement and Future Training Topics

All stakeholders (100%) highlighted “Healthy Family Relationships” as an area needing further development or follow-up sessions, despite its perceived value, suggesting a desire for deeper engagement with this complex topic. Half of the stakeholders also felt that “Play and Creativity” could be strengthened.  For future training sessions, digital literacy and strengthening support for fathers and male caregivers emerged as top priorities, each cited by 66.7% of respondents, indicating a strong desire to address evolving needs and expand the programme’s reach to all caregivers.

DISCUSSION

The findings of this impact study illuminate the significant contributions of the NECDA Parenting Support Programme to Early Childhood Development (ECD) in the North West Province.  The high rates of caregiver participation and satisfaction, particularly regarding the usefulness of the training and its appropriate length as shown in Table 1, underscore the programme’s relevance and accessibility to its target beneficiaries.  This sustained engagement is critical for fostering lasting behavioural change and skill acquisition.  While these findings are robust, it is important to consider the potential for positive response bias, given that all participants were actively engaged in the programme.

The narrative provided by caregivers consistently indicates a substantial enhancement in their knowledge and confidence concerning child development topics, including nutrition, stimulation, and health (Table 2).  This improved understanding translates directly into tangible improvements in caregiving practices.  For instance, heightened awareness of child safety leads to more vigilant home and ECD environments, while increased knowledge of nutrition supports healthier eating habits for children.  Furthermore, the emphasis on “Healthy Family Relationships” as the most impactful session (Table 3) highlights the programme’s success in fostering positive communication and emotional bonding between caregivers and children.  This is paramount for secure attachment, a key predictor of socio-emotional and cognitive development, and represents a high-impact, low-cost intervention critical in resource-constrained settings.

The programme’s effectiveness in facilitating caregivers’ access to community services is a crucial outcome.  By helping caregivers understand how to access vital resources, the programme acts as a critical link between families and the broader support ecosystem (Table 6).  This increased access to social grants, nutrition support, and health screenings directly mitigates risks of malnutrition and illness, thereby providing a more stable and nurturing environment for child development.  The unanimous agreement among stakeholders regarding the programme’s role in service access validates its strategic importance in bridging gaps in resource-constrained settings.

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback from caregivers, stakeholder perceptions reveal nuanced areas for improvement.  While stakeholders highly value the programme’s role in boosting caregiver confidence and facilitating service access (Table 6), a significant proportion did not perceive a direct enhancement in their knowledge of child development topics.  This disparity suggests that while the content resonates with caregivers, it may need to be differentiated or augmented for stakeholders who often possess pre-existing foundational knowledge.  Furthermore, the unanimous call from stakeholders for more in-depth exploration of “Healthy Family Relationships” and the desire for enhanced “Play and Creativity” content (Table 7) indicate opportunities for refining the curriculum to achieve a more profound impact on these critical aspects of family well-being and child development.

The expressed need for support for fathers and male caregivers, alongside digital literacy, points to evolving community needs and highlights the importance of inclusive programming.  Addressing these areas would broaden the programme’s reach and impact, ensuring that all caregivers have the necessary knowledge and skills to support children’s development in an increasingly digital world (Khan & Trimble, 2025).  The varying perceptions of training location accessibility (Tables 1 & 5), notably the 13.3% of caregivers and 16.7% of stakeholders who found it “very far,” indicate that geographical barriers may still impede equitable access for some potential beneficiaries.

In essence, the NECDA Parenting Support Programme is demonstrably effective in its core mission of empowering caregivers and improving child outcomes (National ECD Alliance, 2025).  Its strength lies in its practical, community-embedded approach, which directly addresses immediate caregiving needs while simultaneously fostering stronger family bonds and connecting families to essential services.  The study’s findings provide a robust evidence base for the programme’s continued implementation and expansion, with strategic refinements that can ensure even greater efficacy and reach in the North West Province and similar contexts.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To build upon the programme’s successes and strategically address the opportunities for enhancement identified in this study, the following comprehensive recommendations are proposed. These are designed to guide the programme’s evolution, foster its long-term sustainability, and maximise its impact on early childhood development outcomes.

Broaden and Deepen Male Caregiver Engagement

A primary recommendation is to broaden and deepen male caregiver engagement within the programme.  While the programme demonstrably benefits mothers, the limited involvement of fathers represents a significant missed opportunity for holistic child development.  Strategies should include developing and piloting male-specific workshops and peer groups tailored to the unique challenges and roles of fathers and male caregivers.  Community-wide campaigns are needed to actively challenge traditional gender norms actively, promoting shared parental responsibility and emphasising the critical role of fathers in children’s early learning and emotional well-being (Upward Bound, 2022).

Enhance Outreach Mechanisms for Hard-to-Reach Families

The programme should enhance its outreach mechanisms for hard-to-reach families.  Despite overall high participation rates, some geographical and socio-economic barriers persist.  This requires implementing more flexible service delivery models, such as home-based interventions for individuals with mobility constraints or limited access to transportation.  Detailed mapping of high-need households, in collaboration with local community health workers and social development practitioners, would ensure programme resources are strategically directed towards the most vulnerable families, minimising disparities in access (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020).

Improve Programme Visibility and Communication

It is crucial to improve programme visibility and communication across all stakeholder levels.  While overall impact is recognised, there is an identified need for more transparent communication regarding programme goals and benefits, particularly among some stakeholders. This can be achieved through standardised, culturally appropriate communication materials, regular quarterly briefings for partner organisations and government officials, and the establishment of structured collaboration forums.  These platforms facilitate shared learning, promote strategic alignment, and ensure consistent messaging about the programme’s aims and successes (Matjokana, 2021).

Invest in Facilitator Development and Ongoing Support

It is crucial to invest substantially in facilitator development and ongoing support.  The quality of facilitator-caregiver interaction is paramount to the programme’s success (Magoma, et al., 2024). This necessitates continuous, in-depth training for facilitators in areas such as trauma-informed care, advanced child development theories, sophisticated group facilitation techniques, and enhanced cultural sensitivity relevant to diverse communities.  Furthermore, providing regular debriefing sessions and dedicated mental health support for facilitators is essential to prevent burnout and ensure their sustained effectiveness in emotionally demanding environments (White, 2022).

Deepen Integration with Formal Support Systems

The programme should deepen its integration with formal governmental and non-governmental support systems. Building stronger referral pathways with primary healthcare facilities, ECD centres, social service departments, and other relevant community-based organisations is vital.  This includes developing shared data protocols, fostering inter-organisational communication channels, and establishing coordinated case management approaches. Such integration will ensure a more seamless and comprehensive continuum of care for children and families, contributing to broader systems strengthening within the ECD sector.

Expand Programme Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Framework:  Finally, there is a clear need to expand the programme’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework.  The current study provides a valuable snapshot; however, a more robust understanding of the long-term impact requires longitudinal tracking of both child and caregiver outcomes.  This should involve incorporating objective measures of child development and school readiness, as well as indicators of caregiver well-being and household resilience.  Regular evaluation cycles that include feedback mechanisms from all participants will ensure continuous learning and evidence-based programme adaptation, solidifying the programme’s impact and informing future strategic decisions.

Integrate Digital Literacy Initiatives: To address evolving community needs and stakeholder suggestions, it is recommended that digital literacy initiatives be integrated into the programme curriculum.  This will empower caregivers with essential skills for an increasingly digital world and potentially broaden programme access through online resources and communication channels, particularly in rural areas.

CONCLUSION

The NECDA Parenting Support Programme stands as a commendable example of an effective, community-embedded intervention making a tangible difference in the Early Childhood Development landscape of the North West Province.  The study’s findings unequivocally demonstrate the programme’s success in enhancing parenting knowledge, fostering critical skills, and improving caregivers’ access to vital resources.  These gains have directly translated into strengthened caregiver-child relationships, heightened awareness of health and safety, and increased uptake of essential community services, all of which are foundational to optimal child development.

While the programme has achieved significant milestones, particularly in empowering mothers, the identified areas for improvement, such as the need for greater male caregiver involvement and enhanced mental health support, offer clear pathways for future growth.  Addressing these nuances, alongside a strategic focus on digital literacy and refined content delivery, will enable the programme to serve an even broader and more diverse caregiver base.  Ultimately, the NECDA Parenting Programme provides a robust blueprint for supporting comprehensive ECD in resource-constrained settings.  Its success underscores the critical importance of culturally relevant, context-specific interventions that empower caregivers as primary agents of change. By continuously adapting, integrating with broader service systems, and investing in its facilitators and beneficiaries, the programme is poised to lay an even stronger groundwork for a more equitable and nurturing future for children and families across the North West Province and potentially serve as a model for similar regions throughout South Africa.

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