In the heart of Bonnievale lies a small, nurturing haven where children are supported with the tools to continue dreaming, learning, and growing – Kapteintjies Dagsorg, a Spirit Early Childhood Development (ECD) Foundation campus. Under the thoughtful leadership of Lynn-Zay Witbooi, the centre has become somewhat of a second home to children from surrounding farms and communities such as Mountain View and Happy Valley.
With deep personal ties to the centre, Witbooi is proud to carry forward its legacy.
“Many of my friends and family went to this school,” she says. “It was well known for its yearly Debutant Ball. I love children, and it was one of my dreams to help develop their needs. Nothing is as good and positive as seeing and knowing a child is internally happy and safe.”
Founded in 1992, Kapteintjies Dagsorg offers a warm and stimulating learning environment grounded in the Leer en Leef curriculum. This programme supports creative development through music, storytelling, group activities and outdoor play. The team at Kapteintjies is small but dedicated — a mix of trained teachers, teacher assistants, a cook/cleaner and a maintenance worker — all working together to create an inclusive and nurturing space.
“Our curriculum includes early literacy and numeracy, creative arts, music and outdoor play,” Lynn-Zay explains. “We also incorporate social-emotional learning through storytelling, rhymes, songs, group activities and excellent gross-motor activities to help develop their muscles.
“Every one of them plays a great role in creating a nurturing learning environment. The teachers focus on early literacy, numeracy and emotional development, while the assistants provide hands-on support.”
Accessibility remains a key focus. Kapteintjies works closely with local organisations to support needy families and ensure no child is left behind. Community involvement is at the heart of their approach. Parents and community members are invited to participate in special events and volunteer opportunities, while local businesses contribute to creating fun and enriching activities for the children.
“Most of our children come from the surrounding communities, especially the farms near the school,” Lynn-Zay says. “To ensure accessibility, we work closely with local organisations to provide support. We engage parents and community members through volunteer opportunities and special events,” she says. “We also collaborate with local businesses and organisations to provide fun activities for the children.”
Like many ECD centres, Kapteintjies faces challenges — primarily financial constraints and inconsistent parental involvement. However, Lynn-Zay and her team are proactive in their solutions. The impact of their work is visible in the children’s development and the support from their families.
“We overcome these by organising fundraisers and holding a monthly parental meeting,” she shares. “We provide a strong foundation for learning and personal development,” she says. “We measure success through assessments, feedback from parents and observing the progress of our learners as they transition to primary school.”
She hopes they can introduce a Grade R class and expand the centre’s facilities to accommodate more children and enrich their learning experiences. “Our long-term goal is to expand our facilities and enhance our learning materials.”