These are the words of Kelebogile Ntlangani, the owner of Bambanani Educare Centre in Joe Slovo, Bloemfontein. Her facility is at the centre of a national conversation on foundational learning.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised that the silent revolution of South African education depends on getting the first nine years of a child’s life right. He called for early childhood development (ECD) to be the heartbeat of the education system to prevent future dropouts.

Furthermore, the initiative focuses on implementing mother-tongue-based bilingual education. 

Since literacy and numeracy outcomes improve when rooted in a child’s first language, the objective is to provide access to this culturally relevant method in nearly every school.

The plan requires that every classroom be supported by a coherent curriculum and high-quality, age-appropriate materials to simplify complex concepts for students. While his vision focuses on evidence-based literacy and numeracy, the reality for centres like Bambanani is a daily battle with limited resources. 

It operates from a backyard. Despite the lack of formal funding, Ntlangani and two practitioners provide breakfast, lunch, and a structured curriculum from 06:00 to 18:00 to accommodate working parents.

“Our challenge now is that we are operating from a backyard … The municipality does not have sites … Because we are non-funded, our practitioners end up with a very low income,” said Ntlangani.

Despite these hurdles, the centres have seen success in preparing children for primary school. Using the NCF curriculum and specific assessment programmes, Ntlangani ensures toddlers and babies reach developmental milestones. 

‘Ultimate goal is to secure a dedicated site to move out of the backyard’

She identified school readiness as her primary mission, even adopting children whose parents cannot pay at all.

She called on the department of education to assist with practitioner training and funding for early childhood development centres. Her ultimate goal is to secure a dedicated site to move out of the backyard and admit more than the 50 children her current space allows.

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OFM News/Refilwe Bekane mvh