Representatives from the different Khayelitsha Early Childhood Development (ECDs) centres met on Friday August 16 for the first time this year under the umbrella body, the Khayelitsha ECD Forum.
Members of the forum gathered at the Uyesu Unathi hall in Khayelitsha’s A Section.
The forum is tasked with promoting health issues, advising new centres, and helping children develop.
On Friday, heads of centres old and new were encouraged to prioritise the children’s wellbeing more than making money.
Ways to apply for government funding and registration of new ECDs were also discussed.
Forum member Conny Mase of Msobomvu ECD was critical of new owners who do not put the children first.
“We want to make a call to the new owners of the creches to look after the children. The life of the children is the most important thing.
“That is why we exist. But there is now a trend to be after money. We condemn that thinking. Our priority is the child.”
She said the people who are after money are those who do not have a love for the job. “Our passion is the child. We exist for the child,” she said.
The forum urged the ECD centre owners to make sure the children are kept in a clean and healthy environment.
It also called for owners to make sure that their centres are legally registered even though the requirements make it difficult.
Another forum veteran, Nosiseko Masawe, said they were happy to meet the new people in the industry and explain the do’s and dont’s. She said the forum holds fund-raising days so that it can help those who need it.
“This was a powerful meeting and a very productive one.
“We explained to many people why we are ECDs and why these establishments exist. We felt it necessary to talk to each other and help each other where we can.”
She reiterated that ECDs are an important step to developing children.
Ms Masawe also acknowledged that ECDs are faced with many challenges. She said the registration process remains a challenge.