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Little Stars in the Eastern Cape

Donor: Get It Done Foundation
Partners: Lebone Centre; Ubunye & Rhodes University CSD
Duration: 2024-2025
Location: Makana Local Municipality

Project model:
Through a Training of Trainer model, Wordworks has partnered with three well- established NGOs to train ECD practitioners on the Wordworks Little Stars pre-Gr R classroom programme and provide ongoing support through Community of Practice sessions.

Sustaining the intervention:
In 2025 training partners were introduced and oriented to the Little Stars LMS (online course) allowing them to use the course during training and refresher sessions with current groups of practitioners as well as future groups who may not be part. In addition, in order to sustain the gains of the intervention after the project period, trained ECD practitioners will become members of Wordworks online programme network,granting them access to resources, courses and programme support systems.

Research and results:
We do not have evaluation results from this particular project but you may find it useful to look at two recent evaluations of the Little Stars programme:

  • A randomised control trial funded by the British Academy in 2022, which was aimed to investigate the impact of the Little Stars early literacy classroom programme when implemented in challenging socio-economic conditions, with a minimal training and support model. The study found that the Little Stars programme enhanced early literacy outcomes, boosted teacher confidence, and improved classroom practices. In subsequent projects we have been able to develop models of teacher training and support to improve effectiveness and impact.
Insights from the British Academy study on Little Stars
  • The 2020-2024 Yizane Sifunde project evaluation funded by the Liberty Community Trust. Yizani Sifunde was a collaborative early literacy initiative implemented in Eastern Cape ECD centres, involving Book Dash, Nal’ibali, Wordworks, and local NGOs. The evaluation validated the effectiveness of the Little Stars programme and the value of a multi-partner model supporting practitioners, providing high-quality resources, and engaging caregivers.
Insights from the evaluation of the Yizani Sifunde project

In the field:

A big step forward for Little Stars! Little Stars programme training strengthens learning in Makhanda