This pre-school opened in January 2018 under the auspices of African Enterprise
with 40 pupils. The pre-school serves a vital function in the impoverished Edendale
community, helping to prepare children aged 2 to 5 for primary school. In
disadvantaged communities, once children start school there is an enormous
difference in learning ability between those who have been at a pre-school and those
who have not.
The pre-school is open from 06h45 to 15h30 (showing what early hours their carers
have to keep). Breakfast is from 07h30 to 8h30, followed by teaching time and then
play, lunch, sleeping and informative play. The pre-school is served by four teachers
including the principal, as well as a cook, a caretaker and an admin/IT assistant. It is
recognised by the Department of Education, and the teachers attend Department-run
workshops. Only about 80% of the parents can afford the monthly fees of about £10.
As there is no government funding iThembalomntwana is dependent on these fees
together with donations. The funds provided by Thembisa in 2018 were used to build
two toilets for the teachers and visiting adults.
