A creche described as an oasis by one of its sponsors is unable to enrol more children because of regulations and limited funding.
Boitumelong Early Learning Centre on 6th Avenue started as a fully-fledged creche in 1989. This after operating for many years in a shack as a care centre which supported underprivileged children.
The centre now supports 120 children of which 89 are funded by the Department of Social Development. The centre receives 500 applications per year but due to limited funding and space restrictions, the centre cannot except everyone.
The principal Thandi Mkhize said it pained her to turn away children who really required support for early childhood learning and development. She said out of desperation, the parents of these children enrolled them at places with no capacity to provide their children with appropriate education and nutrition for their intellectual and physical development.
“The desperation forces them to leave their children in whatever care facility they come across,” said Mkhize. “This is detrimental to the children’s well- being and safety.” She expressed concern that this trend would lead to many children falling through the cracks and getting involved in crime as they would not get opportunities for meaningful employment in adulthood.
Mkhize said she looked forward to a time when all children would be able to access quality early learning and development support, so that they would not lag behind in a highly competitive world.
Details: Boitumelong Early Learning Centre; 011 443 7271
