Financially, Beyers Bytjies Nursery School functions independently - registered non-profit organization (NPO nr 069.324) Background
Danville and Elandspoort are sub-economical communities, with most resources in its developmental stage or not developed at all. The area has a high rate of unemployment due to job losses and many social problems exist such as child neglect and abuse, alcoholism, behavior problems of children and a lack of parenting skills. Early childhood development is crucial and there is a growing need to accommodate children in such centers. Children have the right to education and should not be excluded on the basis of their parents’ financial constraints because of poverty. The school originated in 1993 as a result of a soup kitchen that was started for mothers and pre-school children. A playgroup was established for young children and in January 2005 the playgroup moved to Genl Beyers Primary School. In January 2006 Beyers Bytjies Nursery School moved to the current premises existing of six classrooms where 160 children can be accommodated. During the past five to six years the demographics of Danville and Elandspoort changed in the sense that more black people moved to the area and the need to accommodate black children was identified. Initially the school catered only for Afrikaans speaking children, mainly because most of the people in the area speaks Afrikaans, but as the demographics changed, the need for English classes (to accommodate black children) grew and currently there are four Grade R classes (2 Afrikaans classes and 2 English class) and 3 classes for five-year olds (2 Afrikaans classes and 1 English class) – 87 children from the 183 children are black (approximately 45% of the school).
2.2 Target audience
The area of operation is in the west of Pretoria serving the sub-economical areas of Danville and Elandspoort. The nursery school is within walking distance of all children and in the center of the community that it serves. The target group is 5-6 year old children of all races from families with sub-economical or no income. For the purposes of socio-economic development funding (BEE code 700) this proposal is only for the three classes catering for black children. The vision of the school is to provide an opportunity for under-privileged children to attend a nursery school. The goals and objectives of the school are:
• To provide an opportunity for underprivileged children in a sub-economical area to increase their readiness to attend formal school.
• To prevent child neglect, child abuse and malnutrition in the area.
• To provide opportunities for the parents to develop their parental skills and establish quality relationships with their children. The activities of the school include:
• The children attend the school from 07:30 – 12:30 each weekday.
• The teachers follow the 2005 curriculum for their daily activities and each day has a scheduled program (e.g. coloring, story reading, play time)
• Play therapy and speech therapy are provided by a therapist once a week and occupational therapy is offered three times a week.
• Once a trimester the children go on an educational excursion.
2.3 Management and organization structure
The school is managed by a management team consisting of the principal, head of department and the principal of the playgroup, who forms part of a management committee including a parent (representing the parents), a social worker and a bookkeeper (volunteer). Organisation structure
Principal
Voluntary workers
- 6 Teachers - Social worker
- 6 Assistant teachers - Donors
- Management committee - Food suppliers
- Therapists - Maintenance people (ad hoc)
- Secretary - Book keeper (ad hoc)
- 2 Cleaners
- 3 Gardener
- 2 General assistant
3. SUSTAINABILITY
The nursery school (initially only a playgroup) was established 1993. There is a growing need for pre-school education in the area. Since 2002 the numbers increased from 40 children to 183 children. Danville and Elandspoort are both sub-economical areas and therefore there will always be many people who cannot afford to pay for a nursery school. At this point in time the only formal income is the school fees. Based on the parents’ income the school fee is calculated as follows:
• 0 – R3000: No school fee (a sponsor is identified to sponsor the child)
• R3000 – R6000: R100.00 per child per month
• R6000 – R10000: R200.00 per child per month
• R10 000+: R250.00 per child per month
The school fees constitute a very small part of the income – during the 2010/2011 financial year we received on average R2450 per month from school fees which were approximately 3,4% of the income. Donors cover the rest of the expenses. Although we currently have organizations and individuals who committed them themselves for a monthly contribution for a period of time, we are continuously looking for new donors and sponsors to ensure that we can meet our monthly expenses.
4. ROLE PLAYERS/NETWORK
The following people and organizations are formally involved with Beyers Bytjies Nursery School:
• Community – parents and children
• Principal, teachers and support personnel
• Management Committee
• Genl Beyers Primary School
• Professional services – e.g. occupational therapist; play therapist; speech therapists
• Large network of donors and sponsors ranging from individuals to large organizations
