Siyafunda Day Care Centre has received numerous accolades for its hard work and many achievements over the years. As a result, children who attend this centre receive preference when enrolling for Grade R at local schools.
“We are very proud of our successes and grateful for the support we received. As such, two of the learners who once attended the centre achieved in the top three of their grades at one of the local primary schools. Due to word-of-mouth, three learners from a nearby town have sought education at Siyafunda,” said Mrs Nomfundo Goba-Mhaga, Principal at Siyafunda Day Care Centre.
Siyafunda, which cares for over fourty young children, is one of 25 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres benefiting from Cookhouse Wind Farm’s ECD Programme, which was launched in 2016. Now in its seventh year, early learning centres receive educational support and infrastructure improvement. The provision of accredited training programmes and interventions, as well as ongoing mentoring and coaching, empowers both children and practitioners alike.
“Our objective is to equip ECD practitioners and principals with the necessary skills and qualifications to ensure stimulation of children in the classroom. In addition, this programme seeks to ensure that proper management structures and financial management systems are introduced in order for ECD Centres to become sustainable,” explained Lifa Baskiti, Community Liaison Officer for Cookhouse Wind Farm.
In addition to a number of practitioner awards, the Siyafunda Day Care Centre, recently received a ‘Further Education and Training Certificate’, in Early Childhood Development, recognising the learning centre for its excellence.
“Having our center recognised in this manner means we will one day have a lasting legacy. As a model for other centres, it reminds us that we cannot be complacent. Our centre will always be remembered for having achieved great things, and that’s why we value this recognition,” concluded Goba-Mhaga.
