Midlands Community College

Midlands Community College (MCC) supports caregivers in their role as young children’s first and most important early learning providers. Through our Dlala Khuluma Funda (Play, Talk, Learn) project, we work with families of children from birth to four years to strengthen everyday interactions that build early learning, development, and wellbeing.

Our approach recognises that learning begins at home. We support caregivers to use simple, low-cost resources already available in their environments to create meaningful opportunities for play, communication, and exploration. While early literacy development is an important thread in this work, the focus is broader, fostering responsive relationships, positive parenting practices, and building caregivers’ confidence in supporting their children’s growth. We draw on evidence-based resources, including Every Word Counts developed by Wordworks, to guide caregivers in developing language-rich interactions. This is particularly important for children who are not yet attending formal early learning programmes, ensuring they are not excluded from foundational developmental support.

Alongside direct caregiver engagement, we work with ECD practitioners to strengthen their ability to connect with and support families, helping to build a more cohesive system around the child.