Playing the mom to little ones
LIZ CLARKE CHATS TO AYOUNG PROFESSIONAL AND HER TEAM WHO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF LOOKING AFTER YOUNG CHILDREN
IN MANY ways, Roné Opperman is quite an unusual 25-year-old. She’s single and, like most women her age, enjoys life to the fullest. But there is a subtle difference. There is nothing more in the world she loves doing than caring and looking after the needs of young children.
“After I matriculated, I decided to spend a gap year working as a trainee child carer. I loved it so much that I stayed on for another two years. It was the most brilliant experience of my life. I learnt so much about the importance of early childhood education and the need to encourage young children to think for themselves and search for knowledge,” she said.
When the chance came along for her to rent a garden property in Shongweni Road with plenty of rooms and a flat, well-established shady garden, she knew exactly what she was going to do – leave the corporate world where she was working in the insurance sector and open a facility that reflected her passion for making a difference in children’s lives.
“When I was younger, I lived in the granny cottage at the back of the same property in Shongweni Road – so I knew the area and the people very well. As soon as I mentioned to the neighbours what I intended to do, they were very supportive.”
But that was just the beginning. “There was months of research before I could get to first base. Firstly I had to establish whether there was a demand in the area for a facility that would cater for children from newborn to pre-grade R, which was my area of expertise.”
It didn’t take long for her to realise that there was a huge need.
“So many young mums were looking to go back into the workplace, many into their own businesses, but their main concern was their children, especially the tiny ones,” she said.
“You realise more and more that mums going back to work is a growing trend and that one salary is no longer enough to support a growing family.”
Once the regulatory and red-tape issues were addressed, she decided it was time to open her Tiny Achievers facility. That was in December.
“It was such an exciting day, welcoming my first two little clients, both toddlers with bundles of energy. It was go-go-go right from the start.”
With her belief that “compassion, caring and patience” are the cornerstones of anything worth doing, Roné has established a team of well-trained personnel to manage the day-to-day running of the centre. Among them are two student teachers studying day care and early childhood development. Each staff member has an advanced first-aid certificate of competency
“Keeping things to a set order is essential for children,” she said. “We have separate facilities to cater for the different ages, with a carer in charge of each area. Mid-meal snacks and sleep are at set times. From about 15 months onward, we introduce the primary skills – that’s everything from potty training to washing hands and face.”
As soon as a child is able to hold a crayon, she says, the drawing classes begin. As soon as they understand puzzle pieces and building blocks, new skills are developed.
“In the olden days crèches were not always places of learning, simply a place where a child was safe.
But today educators are realising that a child’s early development has a direct bearing on school achievement,” she said.
But being absorbed in play and creative thinking is just one side of the story. As any mum knows, a big part of a child’s day is also food and nutrition.
“In many ways we have to be the mum,” says Roné. “We look at healthy options, minimum sugar and absolutely no junk food. I enjoy cooking so I personally make the midday lunch – definitely not processed meats – mostly chicken, soya mince and fresh veg. Even at a year old, little ones are quite adamant about what they like and what they don’t, so we have to be guided by them.
“And when they hold up their plate and ask for more, that is a real triumph!”
Roné is planning to major in child psychology, focusing on the area of early childhood development.
For more information, contact info@tinyachievers.co.za