Nurturing the Nurturers: Empowering Daycare Teachers in Early Learning
A Trainer’s Mission to Guide Daycare Teachers in Suriname
A chorus of giggles and cheerful voices fills the room as a group of energetic three-year-olds sing the alphabet in unison. At the back of the brightly lit classroom, Dashevine (38), watches with a proud smile, quietly observing the fruits of her work come to life. As an Early Childhood Development (ECD) trainer, she has dedicated the past several years to transforming how daycare teachers in Suriname nurture, teach, and support young children. In places like Kotomisi Daycare, her training is not just shaping classroom routines, it’s shaping futures.
In Suriname, more than half of three-year-olds are missing out on crucial early learning and stimulation that lays the foundation for lifelong success. Leaving gaps in their development and readiness for school. In many daycare centers, the focus has traditionally been on care, not stimulation. Structured learning through play was often missing.
Dashevine served as a trainer at Foundation saga, to implement and provide training in the early learning program. In guiding daycare teachers through the “Play, Discover & Learn” program, she describes her role as one to empower educators with tools to stimulate children’s development through structured yet joyful learning.
“What we do goes beyond instruction. It’s about reshaping perspectives. The training is built around daily routines using a child-centered approach. We focus on organizing the day with clear schedules, introducing active learning, building stronger relationships between educators, children, and parents, and equipping caregivers to guide learning at home.” Dashevine said.
“I always remind daycare teachers to treat each child as if they were their own, with love, patience, and genuine care. Every little one deserves to be heard, understood, and guided with kindness. While this may seem like an obvious message, experience has shown that in many daycares, the reality can be quite different. That’s why I emphasize it every time. How we make children feel in these early years can shape the rest of their lives.” Dashevine notes.
“One of the most powerful changes I’ve witnessed came from the Kotomisi Crèche. A teacher there shared with me: “Before the training, I didn’t understand how important it was to let children learn by their selves and from each other. I used to talk most of the time, instruct in what to do, but now I sit with them, I listen, I ask questions, and I see the magic of discovery in their eyes.”
Over eight weeks of intensive training, we’ve supported 29 daycares in Paramaribo and surrounding districts. Nine public daycares under the Ministry of Social Affairs are now actively applying the “Play, Discover & Learn” method.
The difference is undeniable. Children are not only better prepared for school, but they are also thriving. They speak more, play creatively, and show greater independence. Daycare teachers report that they now recognize and celebrate the developmental strides their children are making.
“This experience has also changed me.” Dashevine highlighted, “I’ve learned that the right training, when delivered with compassion, doesn't just improve knowledge, it also builds confidence.
Dashevine emphasized the difference the program has made in the life of not only the teachers but also of the 3-year-olds’, “This support is building futures. Investing in early childhood educators means creating learning environments that are rich, loving, and engaging. With continued investment, we can reach even more daycares across Paramaribo and beyond. “Because every child deserves the chance to play, discover, and learn,” she eloquently says, her voice filled with conviction. “And it all begins with the love and care we show them today.”
Boilerplate
By the time children turn three, their brains are developing faster than at any other point in life. In Suriname, the ‘Play, Discover and Learn’, early learning program is helping ensure that every moment counts. With funding from Tubacex, UNICEF and Foundation Saga have expanded early learning programs to 29 daycare centers across Suriname, training staff to create joyful and engaging learning environments. These efforts are bridging the early learning gap and ensuring that 2–3-year-olds, have the best start in life.
