New class is a safe haven

For the Wikkelwurms Early Childhood Development Programme, their new classroom is a dream come true. The crèche, based at the Bethesda Centre in Rosemoor, recently received funding from the finance union Sasbo SWD which enabled them to add a new, bigger, dual purpose classroom.

The 3x9 Wendy house was set up as a classroom and a physio therapy room.

The programme started with five children in 2009. In the years since, it has grown to include a total of 40 children aged 18 months to 6 years. As a result of the need and rapid growth, it became a huge problem to accommodate all the children. The classrooms had to be shared and the available space had to be utilised as best as possible. Hence the centre was ecstatic with the funding.

Mandy Lucas, the operational assistant, says the new classroom is now in full use for the age group 4 - 6 years and is a true blessing. “This group also includes children with complicated disabilities,” she says. The classroom is intended for the children involved in holistic health, development stimulation and school readiness and provides a space where the occupational and physiotherapists can do therapy with the children who require these interventions.

Charlene Williams, the auxiliary worker, says the sponsors helped make a dream come true. “The children are comfortable now and safe in a class that is set up to work and play.”

Wikkelwurms coordinator Sharon Symons says the new classroom enables them to provide a better service to the children. “Two classes used to be separated by a simple divider, which caused distractions on both sides and was not an ideal learning situation.

The facilitators of both classes can now do their daily lesson without interruptions.”

Sharon Symons keeps the kids busy with their favourite book.

The new classroom is also used for therapy sessions. Here Regomoditswe Legodu, the physiotherapist, does some large motor skills exercises with the children.