Ikhaya Labantwana Day Care, in the heart of De Aar, has welcomed the ongoing support from De Aar Solar Power. This day care centre facility is one of three centres which received educational equipment this week as part of the solar plant’s investment in the development, care and protection of children’s needs.
De Aar Solar Power’s commitment to Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programmes extends beyond providing educational material and equipment, as it includes a bursary programme for 30 Early Childhood Development practitioners from De Aar, Britstown and Hanover to upgrade their skills through a course run by North West University in partnership with the Department of Education. It also includes management and mentorship support for the 15 ECD Centres.
“It is our vision to ensure that the ECD centres move from being day care facilities to centres of education and development that are sustainable and can offer the best care possible,” explained Mark Pickering, General Manager for De Aar Solar Power.
The centre received age appropriate education material, outdoor equipment and art material that compliments early childhood development learning geared at facilitating the emergence of early numeracy, literacy, life skills and social skills. The modern outdoor equipment, designed to assist with the development of motor skills , include balls, skipping ropes as well as a balancing beam and swings.
“Teaching aids and the correct equipment are fundamental for cognitive development and to stimulate learning through play,” added Pickering.
Ikhaya Labantwana, which educates and cares for 75 local De Aar children, was established in 1987, by Ms Ngumbo, Mrs Njanbana and Mrs Albany who saw the need for a day care service in the community, a place where children would be educated and kept safe whilst their parents are at work. The principal, Mrs Nomachule Nyathela, is assisted by six members of staff which comprises of three teaching staff, one teaching assistant as well as a cook and cleaner.
The participating Early Childhood Development Centres supported by De Aar Solar Power include: Lollipops Educare, Leeukoppies Speelgroep, Heal the World ECD, Sunshine Day Care, Haasbekkies Educare, Alpha Primary School, Hompie Kedompie ECD, Mina Moe Educare Centre, Masifundasi Day Care Centre, Besige Bytjies, Crawling Babies Educare, Imizamo Yethu ECD, Phillipvale ECD, Siyavuselela ECD Site, Luvuyo ECD, St Johns Mission.
March 2017
