First 4 Daycare

26/09/2026

23/09/2026

Proudly South African.

21/09/2026

04/09/2026

Our parent committee are excited to invite you to our annual Sports Day on the 10th October
Past pupils most welcome!

18/07/2026

Thank you to our very generous parents for your time and donations towards our Mandela Day collection. These donations will benefit our Edenvale community through Essentially Edenvale.

20/05/2026

🚗💥 Car Seat & Seat Belt Safety: This Could Save Your Child’s Life

Every day, I see parents doing their best to keep their children safe, but car safety is one area where small mistakes can have very serious consequences.

The reality is simple:
👉 The correct car seat or seatbelt can be the difference between life and death in an accident.

👶 Car seats are not optional

Holding your child on your lap or “just for a short trip” is not safe.

In a crash:
• Your body cannot hold onto your child
• Even at low speeds, the force is too strong
• Airbags can cause serious injury to small children

👉 Every child should be in an age-appropriate car seat, every trip, every time.

🪑 Are you using the right car seat?

👶 Babies (0–12 months)

✔ Rear-facing car seat
✔ As long as possible (ideally beyond 1 year)

👧 Toddlers (1–4 years)

✔ Forward-facing car seat with harness
✔ Secure and tightly fitted

🧒 Older children (4–10 years)

✔ Booster seat
✔ Until the seatbelt fits properly

🔒 When can a child use a normal seatbelt?

A child is only ready when:

• The belt sits across the shoulder (not neck)
• The lap belt lies across the hips (not tummy)
• Knees bend comfortably over the seat edge

👉 This usually happens around 10–12 years of age.

⚠️ Common mistakes I see

•Turning forward-facing too early
• Car seat not properly installed
• Straps too loose
• Moving children out of car seats too early
• Allowing children to sit in the front seat
• Seatbelt across the neck or stomach

🧠 A simple rule to remember

👉 If the seatbelt doesn’t fit properly — your child still needs a booster seat.

💡 Important reminders

• Short trips are not safer most accidents happen close to home
• Never let a child sit on your lap in a moving car
• Always buckle up, even if your child resists
• Children copy what they see, wear your own seatbelt

🛠️ Need help installing your car seat?

https://www.preciouscargo.co.za

Correct installation is just as important as having the right seat.

🤍 As parents, we can’t control everything, but this is one thing we can control.

Make it a non-negotiable.

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician

20/05/2026

Just a reminder to parents: medicine should NEVER be added to your child’s bottle 🍼💊

It may seem like an easier way to get medicine into a little one, but it can actually cause more problems:

• Your child may not finish the full bottle, meaning they don’t get the correct dose
• Some medicines can change taste and make babies refuse feeds altogether
• Mixing medicine with milk or formula can affect how well the medication works
• It can create negative associations with feeding time
• Most importantly, giving inaccurate doses can be dangerous

Medicine should always be given exactly as prescribed, using the correct syringe or measuring device.

If your child struggles with taking medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for safer tips and alternatives 🤍

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician

31/03/2026

Doron the magican entertaining the children at our 12th birthday celebration

25/03/2026

🪱 DEWORMING: DO OUR KIDS REALLY NEED IT?

It’s one of the most common questions parents ask… and the answer might surprise you.

Deworming isn’t just something we do “just in case”, it actually plays an important role in your child’s health, especially in growing bodies.

👶 Why is deworming important?
Worm infections can:
• Affect your child’s growth
• Cause tummy pain, bloating, or diarrhoea
• Lead to poor appetite
• Contribute to iron deficiency (and even anaemia)
• Impact concentration and energy levels

🦠 How do children get worms?
It’s easier than you think!
• Playing in soil or sand
• Not washing hands properly
• Nail biting or thumb sucking
• Sharing contaminated toys with other kids
• Eating undercooked meat , especially pork

💊 How often should you deworm?
In most cases, we recommend every 6 months, but this can vary depending on your child’s symptoms and environment. Start at 12 months of age generally.

⚠️ Signs your child might have worms:
• Itchy bottom (especially at night)
• Restless sleep
• Unexplained tummy issues
• Loss of appetite
• Grinding teeth

👨‍⚕️ Important:
Always use the correct medication and dosage for your child’s age, chat to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure.

💛 A simple step like deworming can make a big difference in your child’s overall wellbeing.

📩 If you’re unsure when your child was last dewormed, feel free to reach out, we’re here to help!

Dr Willem Smit
Paediatrician

17/02/2026

💧 Swimming is about so much more than safety for toddlers.

When little ones move through water, their brains are working hard—processing balance, breathing, sound, pressure, and movement all at once. This helps strengthen brain connections, improve coordination, and support emotional regulation.

Water also gives gentle resistance, helping muscles and joints learn control without strain. That’s why many toddlers seem calmer, more focused, and better regulated after swimming.

Early swimming can support:
• Motor coordination and body awareness
• Confidence with movement
• Attention, learning, and problem-solving skills
• Natural safety awareness and calm responses in water

At this age, swimming isn’t about performance—it’s about building regulation, coordination, and trust in the body.

When children feel safe while they move, they learn that calm and challenge can exist together. 💙