Marais J.G.L., Ingle M.K., Skinner D., Sigenu K.
Centre for Development Support, University of the Free State, P O Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; Unit for Research on Health and Society, University of Stellenbosch, P O Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
Marais, J.G.L., Centre for Development Support, University of the Free State, P O Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; Ingle, M.K., Centre for Development Support, University of the Free State, P O Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; Skinner, D., Unit for Research on Health and Society, University of Stellenbosch, P O Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa; Sigenu, K., Centre for Development Support, University of the Free State, P O Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
This article details the evaluation of an NGO Family Support Programme (FSP) that was implemented in the southern Free State's Kopanong local municipality. The FSP is primarily aimed at strengthening Early Childhood Development (ECD) in what is a very socio-economically deprived environment for small children. The article argues for the critical importance of ECD within the human development paradigm. It then reports on the actual FSP assessment and advances a number of recommendations for how the initiative could be bolstered. It concludes that the FSP methodology is sound in principle and that it warrants replication at scale. © UV/UFS.