By providing equal access to high quality early learning and development the Spirit Foundation ECD centres can help reshape our community from the ground up.

The Spirit Foundation Bonnie People and Kapteintjies ECD Centres are an educational home to no less than 235 learners from the age of six months to five years old. All are from rural, disadvantaged and underserved communities. These learners are supported by 32 dedicated staff members at the centres.

Fascinatingly, 90 percent of brain development takes place up to the age of five, which makes ECD centres so vitally important. Spirit Foundation ECD Programme Head, Megan Taljard notes, “We have an immense responsibility to make sure that our ECD learners are receiving everything they need to have the building blocks to be successful at school and in life.”

What does the Spirit Foundation mean to those involved in the Bonnievale ECD centres? Teacher, Christelle Slingers says, “Spirit means a lot to us, including better toys for the children and better facilities, a definite WOW!”

Teacher Elmarie Prins reflects that since the Spirit Foundation commenced its comprehensive support programme for the ECD centres there have been lots of changes. “We introduced new classes, more teachers, we expanded the kitchen facility and we got new transport.”

Teacher Anquinita Slingers adds that with the Spirit Foundation’s support, “We don’t just get heard, we get seen. We are here not just for the children, but also to make a difference in the community.”

Lynn Zay Witbooi observes insightfully, “We (the Bonnievale ECD centres) are seen and trusted by the community. We believe that they believe in us.”

But the proof of the ECD centre’s value and impact can also be measured by the improved high levels of consistent attendance since the Spirit Foundation’s involvement and support. This has also been matched by the higher levels of parental commitment and involvement in the ECD centres.

Megan Taljard points to a bigger picture and mission served by the Spirit Foundation ECD centres, “In the Bonnievale community, our parents are faced with severe challenges that come with poverty, so we hope that by providing equal access to high quality early learning and development, we can help reshape our community from the ground up.”