In the small farming town of Bonnievale, two campuses – Kapteintjies Dagsorg and Bonnie People – are quietly shaping a brighter future for the community’s children. These centres, supported by the Spirit Early Childhood Development (ECD) Foundation, form the cornerstone of the organisation’s mission: to give every child the best possible start regardless of background.
Established in early 2024 as the newest branch of the Spirit Foundation, the Spirit ECD Foundation is focused on a critical window of time: the early years of a child’s life, when physical, emotional, social and cognitive development unfolds rapidly.
“A child’s early childhood development experience sets the foundation for their schooling career and their love for learning,” says Megan Hohls, programme manager for the Spirit ECD Foundation. “We want to ensure that children are not only ready for school, but equipped for life, no matter their socio-economic background.”
Between the two campuses, 250 children aged between six months and five years are enrolled, with 33 permanent staff members supporting their growth. Bonnie People serves learners primarily from Boekenhoutskloof, Happy Valley, and Mountain View, many from single-mother households., Established more than 30 years ago, Kapteintjies is a safe space for children from the surrounding Angora farming community, where seasonal work often determines family stability.
Both centres’ heart is the Leer & Leef curriculum, a playful, purposeful programme grounded in early numeracy, language development, and social-emotional learning. Days begin with breakfast, a morning circle discussion, and theme-based lessons. Every class also enjoys a daily half-hour of structured gross motor development activities with on-site coaches, including dancing, ball games, obstacle courses, and biking.
Children are given time for free play after a cooked lunch and nap time before heading home. The centres also provide vital services such as nutrition and safe transport, recognising that education doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
“Our teaching team is receiving ongoing professional development from Dr Samantha Kriger at CPUT,” says Hohls. “We’re aligning what we do with the national CAPS curriculum and building a strong team of confident, compassionate ECD practitioners.”
Still, the journey is not without its challenges. Limited resources, maintenance needs, and the cost of running a high-quality, accessible service place constant pressure on the Foundation’s budget. “Through donor appeals, government partnerships, and getting our story out there, we’ve kept our doors open,” says Hohls. “Without Spirit Foundation, these centres would have closed.”
Ongoing evaluation ensures the programme’s effectiveness. Teachers track milestones in fine and gross motor skills, literacy, numeracy, and emotional development. “We celebrate every victory, big or small,” says Hohls. Our children develop confidence, curiosity, and a deep love for learning.”
Looking ahead, the Foundation hopes to expand both centres, including introducing Grade R classes, further, to close the gap between preschool and primary education.
“Our learners deserve to start strong and stay strong,” says Hohls. “And with the right support, that’s exactly what they’ll do.”
