THE STAFF:

At present the staff consists of the supervisor, 1 assistant and the cook. The supervisor is fully trained in Early Childhood Development and Management and the assistant is attending a course in ECD on a part-time basis.

THE CHILDREN:

There are ± 80 children at the school and their ages range from 1 year to 5years old. The school has a capacity to accommodate 150 children and as the facilities improve the numbers will grow.

Kolping South Africa has taken over the running of this Nursery School and Daycare Centre in the area of D' Almeida, Mossel Bay . The community consists mainly of low-income families and this facility helps to provide a safe haven for small children while their parents are at work.

THE STAFF:

At present the staff consists of the supervisor, 1 assistant and the cook. The supervisor is fully trained in Early Childhood Development and Management and the assistant is attending a course in ECD on a part-time basis.

THE CHILDREN:

There are ± 80 children at the school and their ages range from 1 year to 5years old. The school has a capacity to accommodate 150 children and as the facilities improve the numbers will grow.

THE CURRICULUM:

The ECD programme which is being implemented by the staff is approved by the Department of Education. The graduating children are therefore absorbed easily into the mainstream educational programmes offered by the local schools.

THE BUILDINGS:

The buildings have been donated by the Bishop of Oudtshoorn and are structurally very sound with no major defects. Kolping South Africa through the generous donations received, maintains the buildings and the grounds.

FINANCES:

The community of D' Almeida cannot afford to pay the kind of fees that would make this project self-sustainable. 35% of the costs are subsidised by Kolping South Africa and fund raising is a continuous and necessary task. The South African Government through their Department of Welfare and Social Services and the department of Education contribute about 2.5% of the yearly costs.

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WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE WOULD HELP?

Transport: More children would attend if parents can be helped with the transport costs from areas further afield. Taxi fare for a child, to and from school, would be R120 per child per month - R1 440 per year.

Day-care Fees. Many parents have little or no work, therefore they have no income. The cost per child amounts to R130 per month - R1 560 per year. If the fees for one of these children could be paid, then the fortunate recipient is assured of two meals per day and an educational foundation which will have an extremely positive effect on his/her chances in life.

Books and Educational Toys. At present the school is fairly well equipped, but books and toys take a serious beating from little ones. These need to be replaced regularly and any amount, even as little as R100, could be utilized for the purchase of these items.

Festive Days. It would be wonderful if every child were to receive a small gift at Christmas-time. An amount of R1 000 would be able to purchase a small toy for each of the 50 children. R500 would buy a chocolate egg for each one at Easter-time.

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