COOKHOUSE – Recognising the need for a safe and accessible early childhood development centre for children, Wonderland Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre has been refurbished and reopened.
Funded by Cookhouse Wind Farm in partnership with Msenge Wind Farm, this project is part of the wind farm’s broader strategy to uplift early childhood education facilities and strengthen local communities through improved infrastructure.
Shariefa Rhode, Social Performance Manager for Cookhouse Wind Farm, said, “By supporting Wonderland ECD Centre, we are directly investing in the foundational stages of human development, ensuring children are equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed in school and life. This initiative also emphasises our commitment to community upliftment through targeted investment in educational infrastructure.”
Initially constructed in 2022, this ECD centre remained closed and unused due to several faulty areas in the building, including cracked walls and floors, as well as non-compliant ablution and kitchen facilities.
These issues prevented the facility from meeting the health and safety standards required for registration and operation.
Through funding from the wind farms, the centre underwent extensive repairs.
Led by a local women-owned construction company, the upgrades included fixing structural cracks, repainting, installing new ablution facilities, fitting a kitchen with a new stove and appliances, and upgrading the play area.
The newly refurbished centre has officially opened its doors to 33 learners, with two teachers and one cook on staff.
The centre offers structured, play-based programmes designed to nurture essential skills in language, motor development, social interaction, and early literacy and numeracy, all within a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment.
Aphelele Rangula, Principal of Wonderland ECD Centre, said, “We are so grateful for the new building. Before, our space was small and cold, and it was really hard to work with the children. Now, with more resources and a bigger space, we can care for the children properly. The best part is that we can now take in more little ones from the community who don’t yet have a school, and give them a chance to learn and grow with us.”
The official handover ceremony was attended by representatives from the Department of Social Development, Department of Education, Zakwantu Project Services, Cookhouse Beneficiary Trustee, parents, and community members, highlighting the strong partnerships that made the project possible.
You must be logged in to post a comment.