Who is AECYC

The Association for the Education and Care of Young Children (AECYC)

The organisation’s main objectives are:

a) To promote the education and care of all children from birth to the age of 9.

b) The organisation’s secondary objectives will be to:

In terms of management, to support all parties involved in the founding, developing and management of pre-school centres.
In terms of staff development, to make the persons involved in ECD aware of the urgency of establishing and implementing quality ECD programmes and the importance of proper care of children from ages birth to 9 years.
In terms of learner development, to be actively involved in the holistic development of the young child.

c) Value System

The association maintains Christian norms and values and respect other religions.
The association is bound to quality and professional service provision.
The association strives toward integrity and transparency.
The association strives toward instilling in young children the skills, awareness and knowledge to become responsible citizens of South Africa

AECYC management team

	Mariette began her career in education and studies in 1985 and she started with her honour’s degree in 1992. Specific subject and computer supported activities for pre-school children was her field of interest which she still feels passionate about today. Mariette has been in education for more than 31 years and during this time she expanded her knowledge with a course in ECD management at UNISA. She manages a pre-school in Delmas since 2002. Mariette serves the AECYC as chairperson since 2020.

	Mariza is the proud mother of 2 young adult children. She is HOD of the Pre-primary department at New Hope School (LSEN) where she is hostel mother, afterschool organiser and part of the school governing body. She has a passion for additional and alternative communication in the classroom and the discovery of new study methods to make learning material accessible for every learner. Mariza serves the AECYC as vice chairperson.

	Roeleen Lemmer, a qualified teacher, has been involved in Early Childhood Development (ECD) for 24 years. Until last year, she managed a large ECD school of approximately 360 children and 80 personnel where education and care is provided. She was part of the professional team that originally designed and built this campus. She is currently on a sabatical as she and her husband moved to Ballito, but she is still involved in ECD matters. Roeleen serves as treasurer of the association.

	Wietske Boon studied pre-and postgraduate Psychology at the University of Pretoria. She specialised in play therapy at Unisa. She is a mother and Registered Counsellor with specialisation in play therapy in private practice. Wietske is involved with the AECYC in terms of marketing and training.

	Charmaine Jooste is the mother of 3 University students. She is co -owner of Kiddies Academy schools 4 which are in the Pretoria East area. Currently 800 babies and toddlers attend KA schools. She studied post grad at Tuks and completed her honours in 1990. She has a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and specialised in Separation Anxiety in Children. 2016 Saw the opening of her Primary School in collaboration with Willows Methodist Church, Kingdom Preparatory School.

	Louise Erasmus (maiden name Eloff) grew up in Pretoria and matriculated at High School Langenhoven. She obtained the degrees BA (SW) University of Pretoria, BA (SW) Honours, University of South Africa and MA Soc Sc (Clinical), previously known as the Rand Afrikaans University now the University of Johannesburg. Louise is a registered social worker at the South African Council for Social Service Professions. She worked, amongst other, at the Christian Social Council, City Council of Pretoria (Housing) and the Department of Social Development (local and national level). She was involved in the early childhood development programme since 2004 which included the establishment of the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy in collaboration with the Human Science Research Council, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Family Health International 360 (FHI360) and the National Interdepartmental Committee for Early Childhood Development. Louise was involved in training of government officials pertaining to the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy and parental programme. Louise is currently involved in consultation work related to ECD on request.

	Anelize van Eeden is the principal at Confidence College – Kidicol – who caters for babies from 4 months up to gr. 7. She has 36 years’ experience in Early Childhood Development and is involved for the past 13 years in the training of students as a lecturer in Level 5 ECD National Diploma & developing of Learner and Trainer Guides. Anelize has 10 Years Pre-Primary teaching and 14 years in school management. She is an External Moderator at Umalusi – Level 4 Early Childhood Development. Anelize is a qualified registered moderator and assessor for ECD at ETDP SETA and holds an Honours Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Development. She is the mother of adult identical twin boys.

	Liesel Brummer is a full-time lecturer at Aros and a part time counsellor in private practise. She obtained a degree in Foundation phase teaching at UP, she further obtained honours degrees in Educational psychology, Inclusive education and a third in Psychosocial development and support. She teaches at different schools after which she owned a preschool of her own for 9 years. In her private practice she focused on parental guidance and supporting children on emotional and scholastic levels.

	Rina Lemmer has twenty years' experience as a grade R teacher. She likes to share her passion and interest in terms of learners with autism. She completes her honours in early childhood development and her master's degree in inclusive education. With the help of our heavenly Father she began her way to tertiary institutions as part-time lecturer in arts and handwork for foundation phase learners. She eventually started to fulfill her calling as a trainer of students.

	Saartjie Viljoen is a qualified ECD teacher with 15 years of experience. She is also a qualified Montessori teacher. Saartjie also has a diploma in Public Relations and Marketing. She is currently the principal of a preschool in Eldoraigne, Centurion. Saartjie was also an ECD consultant for the preschools of the South African Air Force. She is the proud mother of a little girl.

AECYC office

	Lize Bredell is the Association’s secretary and operational manager since January 2013. Lize is a mother of three young children and has extensive knowledge in marketing and consumer science.

The AECYC’s legacy is in the hands of the members who are willing to render their time and services to promote the Association which is, due to their efforts, a leader in the field of early childhood development.

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AECYC constitution

The constitution of:

The Association for the Education and Care of Young Children

Established 1942

Name

The organisation hereby constituted will be called The Association for the Education and Care of Young Children (AECYC) / Die Vereniging vir Voorskoolse Opvoeding en Sorg (VVOS).
Its shortened name will be AECYC / VVOS (Hereinafter referred to as the organisation).

2: Body corporate

The organisation shall:

Exist in its own right, separately from its members.
Continue to exist even when its membership changes and there are different office bearers.
Be able to own property and other possessions.
Be able to sue and be sued in its own name. The Association can stand as plaintiff and defendant in any lawsuit, or as a party by means of entering any agreement and is thereby represented by the management and/ or nominated party of the Association.

3: Objectives

The organisation’s main objectives are:

To promote the education and care of all children from birth to the age of 9.
The organisation’s secondary objectives will be to:

i) In terms of management, to support all parties involved in the founding, developing and management of pre-school centres.

ii) In terms of staff development, to make the persons involved in ECD aware of the urgency of establishing and implementing quality ECD programmes and the importance of proper care of children from ages birth to 9 years.

iii) In terms of learner development, to be actively involved in the holistic development of the young child.
Value System

i) The association maintains Christian norms and values and respect other religions.

ii) The association is bound to quality and professional service provision.

iii) The association strives toward integrity and transparency.

iv) The association strives toward instilling in young children the skills, awareness and knowledge to become responsible citizens of South Africa.

4. Membership

Membership at the Association allows and includes:

i) All pre-schools and primary schools;

ii) Full day day-care centres for young children;

iii) Members of management committees or governing bodies of schools and centres;

iv) Professional teachers and other trained or untrained staff members at ECD centres as well as individuals interested in early childhood development;

v) Playgroups, day-care centres and interested parents;

vi) Personnel of education departments, pre-tertiary and tertiary training institutions;

vii) Regional associations that represent any or all the above-mentioned groups.

viii) Members from regional or other associations can only claim association to the AECYC if their respective centre is a member of the AECYC.
Honorary membership may be given to any person, institution or organisation when a recommendation is made by management of the Association and approval is given in a general meeting/ seminar presented by the Association. An honorary member does not have any voting rights.

5. Governing structure and mechanism of governance

The office bearers will oversee the organisation. The office bearers will be made up of 11 members. They are the Board of governance of the organisation.

i) Eleven (11) elected members who are chosen from the representatives that are mentioned in article 4 (a) namely:

    * Chairperson
    * Vice-Chairperson
    * Secretary
    * Treasurer
    * Seven (7) additional members

ii) Two (2) representative members of any other organisation that can be nominated by the Board.

iii) The chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer serve as the executive committee.
Term of office: Office bearers will serve for a period of 2 years which has been agreed to by the general membership at an AGM, and which shall not exceed three years. They can, however, stand for re-election for another term in office again and again after that, for so long as their services are needed, and they are ready to give their services.
Vacancies: The Office Bearers must, as soon as reasonably possible, appoint someone to fill any vacancy that reduced the number of office bearers.
Resignation: An office bearer may resign from office in writing. If it so happens that the chairperson resigns before his/ her term has expired, a meeting is called under the guidance of the deputy chairperson, in which a new chairperson is chosen.
Disqualification or Removal: If an office bearer does not attend three consecutive meetings without having applied for and obtaining leave of absence from the Board, then the Board will find a new member to take that person’s place.

6. Powers of the organisation

The Board shall carry out the powers on behalf of the organisation and they shall manage the affairs of the organisation in accordance with the resolutions of the members as shall be taken from time to time at General Meetings of the organisation.
The Board is responsible for making decisions, and acting on such decisions, which it believes it needs to make in order to achieve the objectives of the organisation as stated in article number 3 of this constitution. However, such decisions and their activities may not be against the resolutions of the members or be against the law of the Republic of South Africa.
The Board shall have the general powers and authority to:

i) raise funds or to invite and receive contributions;

ii) buy hire or exchange for any property that it needs to achieve its objectives;

iii) make by-laws for proper governance and management of the organisation:

iv) form sub-committees as and when it is necessary for proper functioning of the organisation.
If the Board thinks it is necessary, then it can decide to set up one or more sub-committees. It may decide to do this to get some work done quickly. Or it may want a sub-committee to do an inquiry.
The Board may delegate any of its powers or functions to a sub-committee provided that:

i) such delegation and conditions are reflected in the minutes for a meeting;

ii) at least one Office Bearer serves in the sub-committee;

iii) there are three or more people on a sub-committee;

iv) the sub-committee must regularly report back to the Board on its activities.
The Board must in advance approve all expenditure incurred by the sub-committee and may revoke the delegation or amend the conditions of the delegation.

7. Meetings

Annual General Meetings (AGM)

i) Stakeholders of the organisation must attend its annual general meeting;

ii) The purpose of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to:

     * Report back to stakeholders from the Office Bearers on the achievements and work of over the year.
     * Make any changes to the constitution.
     * Enable members to decide on the policies of the organisation.

iii) The annual general meeting must be held once every year, towards the end of the organisation’s financial year.

iv) The organisation should deal with the following business, amongst others, at its annual general meeting:

      * Agree to the items to be discussed on the agenda.
      * Write down who is there and who has sent apologies because they cannot attend.
      * Read and confirm the previous meeting’s minutes with matters arising.
      * Chairperson’s report.
      * Treasurer’s report.
      * Changes to the constitution that members may want to make.
      * Elect new office bearers.
      * General.
      * Close the meeting.
Special General Meetings

i) The Special General Meeting (SGM) or any other special meeting is held outside of the normal or regular meetings.

ii) Special or extraordinary meetings can take the shape of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or any ordinary meeting of members.

iii) The Board or not less than one-third of the members may call a Special General Meeting of the organisation.

iv) Special meetings may be called when the Board needs the mandate or guidance of the general members of the organisation to take up issues that require urgent attention and cannot wait until the next regular AGM or ordinary meeting.
Ordinary Meetings

i) Ordinary members meetings are conducted to complete a standard order of business of the organisation. These are held annually and are attended by the Board.

ii) The meetings of the Board will be held at least once a quarter or when a need arises from time to time to conduct the business of the Board.
Notices of Meetings

i) The Chairperson of the Board shall convene meetings. The Secretary must let all Board members know the date of the proposed meeting within a reasonable time, but not less than seven (7) days, before it is due to take place.

ii) However, when convening an AGM, or a Special General Meeting, all members of the organisation must be informed of the meeting no less than fourteen (14) days before such a meeting.

iii) Notices for all meetings provided for in this constitution must be given to relevant members in writing, either personally, by post or electronic communication or whichever manner it is convenient, to the address or other similar particulars provided by the members.

iv) The notices for all meetings must indicate the reasons for the meeting and the matters that will be discussed in the meeting.

v) For confirmation of delivery, all notices sent to members at the latest known contact details shall be deemed to have been duly served on members, unless it can be proven otherwise.

vi) All members present in person at any meeting shall be deemed to have received notice of such meeting.
Quorums

i) Quorums for all meetings of the organisation shall be a simple majority (50% + 1) of relevant members who are expected to attend

ii) However, for the purpose of considering changes to this constitution, or the dissolution of the organisation, then a two thirds (⅔) of the members shall be present at a meeting to make a quorum before a decision to change the constitution is taken.

iii) All meetings of the organisation must reach a quorum before they can start.

iv) If, however a quorum is not present within thirty minutes of the appointed time of the meeting, the meeting must be adjourned or postponed to another date, within fourteen days thereafter.

v) If no quorum is present at the reconvened meeting within thirty minutes of the appointed time, the members present shall be regarded to make up a quorum for that meeting and the meeting will continue as if a quorum is present.

vi) In the case where a member cannot attend a meeting, he/ she may send their written vote to the Association’s office one day before the meeting.
Procedures at Meetings

The Board may regulate its meetings and proceedings as it deems fit, subject to the following:

i) That the Chairperson shall chair all meetings of the organisation, including that of the Board.

ii) That, if the Chairperson is not present, the Vice-Chairperson shall chair such meeting. In the event both are absent, the Board members present at the meeting shall elect a chairperson for that meeting.
Making decisions in meetings

i) Where possible, the decisions of the organisations shall be taken by consensus. However, when there is no consensus, then members will discuss options for a while and then call for a vote.

ii) All votes shall be counted and the majority votes on an issue shall be regarded as the decision of the meeting.

iii) However, if opposing votes are equal on an issue, then the chairperson in that meeting has either a second or a deciding vote.

iv) All members must abide by the majority decision.

v) Decisions concerning changes to this constitution, or of dissolution and closing of the organisation, shall only be dealt with in terms of clauses 10 and 11 of this constitution.
Records of meetings

i) Proper minutes and attendance records must be kept for all meetings of the organisation.

ii) The minutes shall be confirmed as a true record of proceedings by the next meeting of the Board or of general members as the case may be and shall thereafter be signed by the chairperson.

iii) Minutes shall thereafter be kept safely and always be on hand for members to consult.

8. Income and property

The organisation will keep a record of everything it owns.
The organisation may not give any of its money or property to its members or the Board. The only time it can do this is when it pays for work that an Office Bearers or member has done for the organisation. The payment must be a reasonable amount for the work that has been done.
The Board or a member of the organisation can only get money back from the organisation for expenses that she or he has paid for or on behalf of the organisation, and for which authorisation has been granted.
The Board or members of the organisation do not have rights over things that belong to the organisation.

9. Finances and reports

Income: The board may collect membership fees from members affiliated with the Association and may request donations from stakeholders. These funds will be used for the administrative costs of the Association, for carrying out the approved projects and for the purpose of accumulating a reserve fund.
Bank Account: The Board must open a bank account in the name of the organisation with a registered Bank.
Financial year-end: The financial year end of the Organisation shall be end of December of each year.
Financial Report: The Board must ensure that proper records and books of account which reflect the affairs of the organisation are kept, and within six months of its financial year a report is compiled by an independent registered Accounting Officer stating whether or not the financial statements of the organisation are consistent with its accounting policies and practices of the organisation.
The Treasurer is responsible for making sure that the money of the organisation is safe and is accounted for.
The Treasurer must also make regular reports to the Board on the finances of the organisation, which should include all incomes, expenditures and balances that remain according to accounting practices of the organisation according to the pre-approved budget. The budget is presented to and approved by the executive committee.
If the organisation has funds that can be invested, the funds may only be invested with registered financial institutions. These institutions are listed in Section 1 of the Financial Institutions (Investment of Funds) Act, 1984, or as shall be amended. Or the organisation can get securities that are listed on a licensed stock exchange as set out in the Stock Exchange Control Act, 1985 (as amended). The organisation can go to different banks to seek advice on the best way to look after its funds.

10. Amendments to the constitution

The constitution can only be changed by a resolution. The resolution must be agreed upon and passed by not less than two thirds (⅔) (or at least 67%) of the members who are at the meeting or special general meeting. Members must vote at this meeting to change the constitution.
For the purpose of considering changes to this constitution, a two thirds (⅔) of the members shall be present at a meeting to make a quorum before a decision to change the constitution is taken. Any annual general meeting may vote upon such a motion, if the details of the changes are set out in the notice referred to in clause 7 of this constitution.
As provided for in clause 7, written notices must go out not less than fourteen (14) days before the meeting at which the changes to the constitution are going to be proposed. The notice must indicate the proposed changes to the constitution that will be discussed at the meeting.
No amendments may be made which would cause the organisation to close down or stop to function or die away.

11. Dissolution/ closing down

The organisation may dissolve or close down if at least two thirds (⅔) of the members present and voting at a meeting convened for the purpose of considering such matter, are in favour of closing down.
When the organisation closes down it has to pay off all its debts. After doing this, if there is property or money left over it should not be paid or given to members of the organisation. It should be given in some way to another non-profit organisation that has similar objectives. The organisation’s general meeting can decide what organisation this should be.

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