Social Development boosts ECD
Bekkersdal's biggest ECD shares their secret to success.
Bekkersdal’s largest and most luxurious Early Childhood Development Centre’s (EDC) owes its reputation to the Department of Social Development.
Tsholofelo Educare Centre has a reputation in Bekkersdal for being the biggest and the best when it comes to childhood development. The centre was established in 1984 and has 160 preschoolers who are getting the best of the best before heading off to school.
They are funded by the Department of Social Development which lightens the financial load on the centre. The funding is received quarterly by the ECD which principal Nomqwethu Radebe finds sufficient.
We get funding every quarter and we have to make it stretch over the period of time we don’t get funding. If we need more money, we put together a business plan but the process is relatively easy,” Radebe said.
The funding covers food, toys, blankets, transportation as well as a a stipend for staff among others.
Other than just throwing money at a project, the department sends representatives to the ECD every quarter.
The ECD does not solely depend on departmental funding and also has school fees and fundraisers. With regards to the school fees Radebe said their biggest challenge is parents who don’t pay.
“Some parents, not all, don’t pay because they know we get money from the department which makes us run at a loss. It’s really the children who will suffer at the end of the day and we don’t want that,” Radebe said.
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 413 8726.
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
Also read:
Carryou making strides in Elandsvlei
‘We’re doing this for the children’
Free mobile crèche in R’fontein
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
