About The Institute For Caregivers

The Institute For Caregivers is a Private Preschool Teacher Training Institute that offers Professional Courses in Early Childhood Education and Care.

RATIONALE FOR SETTING UP THE INSTITUTE FOR CAREGIVERS

The Government of Ghana years ago, proposed the formal recognition of the nursery and kindergarten as the beginning of the school system instead of Primary/Basic one as was the case. The implication is the training of teachers for kindergarten level could no longer be left to adhoc in-service training programmes. It is recognized that Early Childhood Education is the bedrock and key to future success in every society. A strong, fi rm and solid foundation encourages successful learning in school and the traits of a responsible individual. A lot of people may have the desire to study courses in Early Childhood Education, but might not have the basic understanding to pursue such courses. This programmes are designed to cater for such individuals who have the interest and are willing to lay the necessary foundation in Early Childhood Education and Care. These programmes therefore primarily prepare Caregivers to acquire requisite skills in Early Childhood Development both to function on job and to enable them pursue further studies in the discipline.

HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTE FOR CAREGIVERS

The Institute for Caregivers is a Private Preschool Training Institute established in 1999 by her parent company, CRA Limited. It was established with technical support from Danida (Danish Foreign Aid), Lego Dacta A/S, Denmark and Jelling Stateminarium (A Danish Training College).

The Objective for setting up this Institute was:-

training teachers with the requisite skills and competencies to effectively teach in the Preschool
upgrading teachers with an interest in early childhood education to attain further qualiﬁcations in the ﬁeld
training personnel with responsibility for preschool education for supervising and managing duties at this level
training attendants and support staff who provide childcare in the preschools to improve their expertise and acquire a certiﬁcate
paving the way for local research in Early Childhood Education and Care

Over the years, the institute has provided excellent training in the area of education, where the basic understanding of the nature and needs of children is paramount. The institute aims to train all categories of persons in the early childhood sector to help them acquire essential knowledge and skills to work as professional caregivers or preschool teachers.

Since its inception, the Institute has organised courses for proprietors of Pre-schools, Kindergartens, Crèches, Teachers, School Leavers, and Sunday School Teachers. The courses and training programmes are suitable for all categories of people in the Early Childhood Education Sector and Childcare Industry.

MODEL PRACTICE SCHOOL

The Institute has a Model Practice School called “The Little Bud International School” attached to it. The Model School measures up to International Standards and admits children between the ages of four months to 5 years. Since the facility is a model upon which the reputation of the Institute rests, it runs a high standard of childcare programme for children. It serves as a practice centre for the students at the training school, providing the singular opportunity of experiencing theory integrated with practice. The Institute has highly qualiﬁed and motivated staff who teach at both the Training School and the Model Practice School.

Partnerships

Over the period the Institute has been in existence, it has had a relationship with the following institutions and agencies:

The Institute has collaborated with a number of training institutions including the MCTC – Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Centre, Israel. The Institute has also collaborated with UNICEF/GES – under the sponsorship of UNICEF, the Early Childhood Development Unit of GES brought together stakeholders in the industry to develop a National Kindergarten Curriculum for Preschools in Ghana. The Institute was represented both in Accra and Koforidua.

UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST - MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION AND INSTITUTE FOR CAREGIVERS

With effect from 1st May, 2018, the Department of Basic Education, of the Faculty of Educational Foundations of the College of Education Studies of the University of Cape Coast, has adopted The Institute For Caregivers as part of its outreach programme. As part of this Adoption, products from the Certiﬁcate Course at the Institute for Caregivers get direct admission into the Diploma Programme in Early Childhood Programme through the Sandwich Mode. Students at the end of the Diploma programme who perform well have the possibility of continuing with the Post-Diploma in Early Childhood Education, leading to the award of a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. The content of the Certiﬁcate Course at the Institute is synchronised with that of the university. There will also be In- Service Training and professional development of the lecturers.

VISION

The Vision of the Institution is to “become a Centre of Excellence” for training of quality childcare providers and teachers in Early Childhood Education and Care to enable them work as Professional Caregivers or preschool teachers.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Institute is to:

provide high quality professional courses in childcare at all times
enhance the quality of childcare services in Ghana
inﬂuence the quality of childcare services in Ghana
inﬂuence all practitioners of Early Childhood Education in a way that will enable them adopt developmentally appropriate practices and programmes in their settings
make our Institution a centre for foundation studies towards future success at higher levels of Early Childhood Education
provide avenue for research and inquiry into Early Childhood Education, Programmes and Activities
organise exchange programmes with institutions in Ghana and Overseas