Early Childhood Development

Location/s:            White River, Sabie and Graskop, Mpumalanga
Coordinator/s:       Charles Sanderson – Community developer

Early childhood development 1 Early childhood development 2
Smileys crèche in Harmony Hill after the revamp of their facilities in January 2010 The Hostels crèche in Graskop with Peace Corps volunteers

Brief Description

Our involvement with the crèches are customised according to their needs and could include donations for food, blankets, toys and equipment as well training or even assistance with the upgrade of facilities and structures.

Regular capacity building and contact is maintained with the following crèches:

  • Dineo crèche (Sabie)
  • Masoyi crèche (Masoyi)
  • McGregor crèche (White River)
  • Phumlani crèche (White River)
  • Smileys crèche (Sabie)
  • Heidelberg (White River)
  • Vukuzenzele crèche and aftercare (Masoyi)
New crèches identified include:
  • Idonsa crèche (White River): An existing crèche where the building needs to be refurbished in order to meet the needs of the children
  • Rustplaas crèche (White River): A suitable building needs to be identified in order to provide a suitable environment for 20 children in the community. Ideally, it will also provide employment for four community members

Objectives

  • Equip existing crèches in our service areas in order to improve the level of early childhood development provided
  • Empower crèche teachers and volunteers to improve their level of programming and stimulation for children
  • Identify the need for new crèches and stimulate their establishment through skills development and new business creation
  • Monitor crèches to ensure a sustainable solution and ensure a continued quality level of service
  • Improve the visibility of the crèche in order to promote further networking and funding opportunities and ensure the crèche becomes sustainable

Successes:

  • More than seven crèches and 250 children have benefited from this programme to date
  • Communities have formed networks around our crèches to ensure a continued flow of regular donations

Wish List:

  • ECD training opportunities
  • Paint and building supplies
  • Garden plants and grass
  • Outdoor signage
  • Outdoor climbing frames and swing
  • Art & craft materials including paper, crayons, paint and brushes etc
  • Old magazines
  • Educational toys and games for ages 0-6 e.g. skipping ropes, puzzles, beads and balls
  • Furniture including small tables, small plastic chairs, shelving
  • Equipment including Radio/CD player