Anquinita Slingers – affectionately known as Nita – is leading the Bonnie People campus of the Spirit Early Childhood Development Foundation with aplomb in a community rooted in inspiring and giving hope to all. This May marks 15 years since she began her journey with the centre, where she has witnessed the transformation of children and the wider community.
“In all these years, I got to know the teachers, parents, community and other stakeholders,” Slingers says. “I know exactly the challenges this school faces. I’ve seen the needs of the children living in it. Making life at school better for everyone is probably the most I can achieve while serving our local community. This is my dream role.”
Serving children from nearby informal settlements, Bonnie People is committed to inclusivity. By maintaining a low school fees threshold and offering transport, even to those who live within walking distance, the centre ensures accessibility for all families. The centre follows the Leer & Leef curriculum, a structured yet nurturing programme that encourages emotional and educational growth.
“We make sure the school is accessible to everyone. It includes developing stable and loving relationships between children and adults, lots of talk and interaction, play opportunities supported by adults, interactive storytelling and plenty of physical activity.”
The team supporting the children includes not only teachers and caregivers, but also a cook, cleaner, and driver. The support network extends beyond the school grounds, involving parents, local NGOs, and government departments. Challenges are inevitable, however, particularly when engaging parents and addressing unpaid school fees.
“They all play a role in supporting the ECD service and the children’s development. Our biggest challenges are parental involvement, unpaid school fees and difficult parents. We try to motivate and encourage parents to get involved. We never give up or lose hope.”
Her approach is guided by empathy and professionalism. Slingers is passionate about continuous improvement for the children and her team. The centre regularly conducts professional in-class evaluations, which inform workshops and programme adjustments.
“I handle difficult parents by staying calm and professional at all times. I listen effectively before responding. Parents must be handled as clients. I constantly remind myself of the saying, ‘People first.’ My future goals are to ensure that the children in our care receive the best quality education and to promote the skills and professional growth of the staff at my ECD centre.”
Measuring success, for her, goes beyond academic milestones. “Children from poor families benefit the most from access to our ECD Centre,” Slingers says. “Quality ECD is linked to better transition into high school, lower repetition and dropout rates and better academic performance.”