Principal of Dienkie Dot Creche in Humansdorp, Felicity Toll, started with just one child in 2002 and now sixteen years later, her ECD centre takes care of 56 children and employs three practitioners, a cook, and Felicity.
“It was always my intention to run a big centre, so I’m very pleased that we have continued to grow alongside the children we take care of.” said Felicity Toll.
In order to grow and to ensure that all practitioners are suitably qualified, the ECD centre required funding and support. The first backing came in 2015 from Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm for developmental resources and practitioner training. Shortly thereafter, the centre received its first subsidy from the Department of Social Development for the 2016/2017 period.
The Wind Farm’s ECD practitioner bursary programme meant that Felicity was able to complete her NQF Level 5 training and the Centre’s Grade R Practitioner, Denea Fleur attended STELLAR Training during 2017-2018. Additional practitioners, Beronique Kees and Nicolene Smith, have both completed NQF Level 4 (Further Education and Training Certificate) and are currently attending NQF Level 5 (Higher Education and Training Certificate in ECD), also made possible by the bursary programme.
“The gradual completion of these two qualifications, NQF Level 4 and 5, allow for the professionalisation of the ECD sector and creates a career path for practitioners,” explained Hlengiwe Radebe, Economic Development Director for Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm.
Dienkie Dot looks forward to the next stage of support from the wind farm, in the form of outdoor equipment and additional educational resources.
“At present we don’t have any outdoor equipment and we are very excited to hear we will be receiving some even though we don’t have a lot of space available,” added Felicity, whilst she explained that the centre is still operating from her home, which has undergone alterations twice to accommodate all the children.
