The Early Learning Centre (ELC) in Kewtown, Athlone, will launch a free monthly children’s clinic on Saturday 18 July, giving parents and caregivers access to developmental screenings, therapy services and professional advice at no cost.

The initiative aims to identify children’s developmental, behavioural and learning needs early while addressing long waiting lists at public healthcare facilities and the high cost of private care.

Shamsunisa Dalwai, principal of the Early Learning Centre, said the centre is a foundational early childhood development institution established in 1972.

She said the facility currently serves about 120 children from Kewtown, Bridgetown, Athlone, Nyanga, Gugulethu and surrounding communities.

Helping children thrive

Dalwai said the clinic aims to make specialised services more accessible to families who are unable to afford private healthcare or face lengthy waiting periods in the public sector.

“The need to address the developmental, learning and behavioural needs of young children has become increasingly important,” said Dalwai.

She said the clinic will be operated by students from the University of Cape Town and the University of the Western Cape, assisted by professional nursing staff.

It will run from 11:00 to 13:00 and will take place once a month on a scheduled date.

“We want to provide free access to specialised services while creating an environment where caregivers and parents better understand the different factors that influence a child’s development,” she said.

Dalwai added that the ELC is developing a framework to recruit volunteers who will provide services to the community at the monthly clinics.

“There are not enough services like these available. State clinics have long waiting lists, and if families go to private facilities, the costs are often too high,” she explained.

What to expect

Services available at the clinic will include:

• Occupational therapy screening and advice.
• Speech therapy.
• Developmental screening for children aged three to six years.
• Play therapy

Dalwai said during the launch, parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to participate in activities with their children and learn more about how the clinic will operate in future.

“We will also provide soup and bread on the day. We encourage people to come and see what we have to offer because it is important to monitor your child’s development,” Dalwai concluded.

For more information call 021 637 9144.

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