The need for pre-school education was identified in the disadvantaged communities and WAMY established pre-schools from January 2001. These pre schools were established as a joint venture with an

Existing organisation that provides the physical facilities and WAMY provides the equipment and training.

All the pre-schools are based on the Montessori philosophy of education one of the best early childhood education programmes in the world. The aim is to ‘go beyond' the pre-school and to establish other programmes such as adult literacy, skills training, women's education, medico-social-welfare services, etc.

Thus far 13 pre-schools have been established in various parts of SA with 20 educators. The training of educators is conducted in Durban in 4 modules during the school holidays at the WonderKids Montessori Training Centre. After each module ,the teachers are given a set of equipment that they use to teach in the following term. Within one year the educators complete the entire course. Our plan is to increase the number of pre-schools throughout South Africa.

The most formative period in a child's life is the period between 3 to 6 years of age. If quality early childhood education is provided during these years, it will lay the foundation for the child's future education.

Unfortunately, this is the most neglected area of education in disadvantaged communities, simply because there are not enough facilities and the government does not provide education for 3 - 6 year olds. It has laid the responsibility on the community to provide pre-school education.

Bearing this in mind, WAMY has adopted a strategy of establishing pre-schools in the disadvantaged communities since January 2001. The strategy was to undertake this project as a joint venture with an existing organisation which would provide the physical facilities whist WAMY would provide the equipment and training.

By establishing and providing these pre-schools, as a much needed service in these communities, we would have an entirely non-threatening presence and be more than welcome in these areas.

The training of teachers is conducted by the Wonderskids Montessori Training Centre in Durban. The Montessori method of early childhood education has been chosen as it is a very successful system and certainly the best in the world. The training consists of 4 modules and after each module the teachers are given a set of equipment that they can use to teach with during the term. The duration of such a course is one year.

The aims of establishing pre-schools goes beyond the actual pre-school and encompasses the families and communities as well. A family centered approach is taken which includes adult literacy classes, skills training, women's education, medico-social-welfare services and many more services. A 'soft' dawah approach is taken in our training programmes, which is intended to arouse the curiosity (within the recipients) about the Islamic way of life. Promotion of Islamic customs, practices and etiquette is also taught to the children.

Our future plans are to increase the number of pre-schools as we have received a number of requests, but due to limited funding, we are unable to expand this project. Once we establish more pre-schools our presence in these areas and possibilities for Dawah are endless.

Thus far 15 pre-schools have been established