Our Mission
What We Stand For
At Foundation First, our mission is to empower parents and teachers with the tools and skills necessary to provide exceptional support to children in their development and education. We aim to achieve this through three interconnected pillars: a YouTube channel serving as a comprehensive portfolio and valuable educational resource, personalised coaching and training sessions for parents and teachers, and the creation and distribution of developmentally appropriate and best practice educational resources tailored to the South African context
Our vision is to foster a community of confident and knowledgeable parents, teachers, and support providers who are equipped to nurture children’s holistic development and educational growth. We aspire to be the go-to platform for quality educational resources, expert coaching, and training that empower individuals to create meaningful and impactful learning experiences for children.
Cailyn Hancock
Founder and Director of Support
With a decade’s worth of education experience, and expertise in Early Childhood Development and Foundation Phase Education, Cailyn provides stakeholders with opportunities to grow their knowledge and skills. With experience in classroom teaching, learning design, and teacher training, she provides well-established insight into the workings of the classroom and child development.
Shireen Stevenson
Director of Resources
With a decade in the classroom and her expertise in Montessori Education, Shireen uses her passion for child development, developmentally appropriate practise, and context-appropriate practise to design and develop educational resources for use in the classroom and at home.
Our Mission
Foundation First began from a tiny planted seed. A seed that took many years to plant. It started in the mind of a young girl who was born to be an advocator. But to become that, life had to take her through many challenges.
I am Cailyn Hancock. A passionate educator who discovered the solution to the world’s problems in education. To get to this point I had to drag myself through a broken system which was fit for only the fortunate and neurotypical. Until I entered a school filled with educators who provided me with the time and understanding I needed to thrive. And I did. This is where I learnt that who is teaching and HOW it is taught can change the world for one person.
Now it’s time for that one person to change the world.
After matriculating with a university pass, I walked my way into my new chapter at Wits University Education Campus. This is where my eyes and mind opened up to the true importance of Early Childhood Education. “WHY DOESN’T EVERYONE KNOW THIS?” I thought to myself.
And I was to think about this question, for many days, and years to come.
I spent hours of my teaching career dissecting every area of my practice and child development trying to figure out solutions to all the common errors that flooded the Early Childhood space. In my city, country, and the world.
“WHY is this happening?”
Then it hit me. People do not know.
Parents don’t understand the importance of Early Childhood Education.
Educators are poorly trained if they have access to any training at all.
Schools are poorly funded and therefore are not updated on new theories and approaches.
Therefore, we are all feeling lost.
“Well… someone has to tell them!”
“Who is going to tell them?”
“Anyone?….”
And so Foundation First was born.
By Cailyn Hancock
Core Values
We aim to bridge the gap between parents, teachers, and support providers.
Equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to create a positive impact on children’s development and education.
Together, we can shape a brighter future for our children and empower them to reach their full potential.
Excellence:
We strive for excellence in all aspects of our work, consistently delivering high-quality content, coaching, training, and educational resources.
Empowerment:
We believe in empowering parents, teachers, and support providers by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to positively impact children’s lives.
Collaboration:
We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, valuing the collective wisdom and diverse perspectives of our community members.
Accessibility:
We are committed to providing accessible and inclusive resources, ensuring that parents, teachers, and support providers from all backgrounds can benefit from our offerings.
Innovation:
We embrace innovation and continuously explore new methodologies and approaches to enhance children’s educational experiences
Cultural Relevance:
We recognise the importance of tailoring educational resources and support to the South African context, acknowledging the unique needs and cultural diversity of our community.
educators
YouTube followers
combined experience
Years Established
Privacy Policy
Foundation First is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines the types of information we collect, how we use it, and the measures we take to safeguard your data. By using our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.