A total of 20 parents and teachers came together at Step Ahead Educare’s Mabille Park branch on Saturday 21 February for the first session of the year of Step Ahead’s Parent Empowerment Programme (PEP).
This first workshop focussed on how consistency and routine can transform family life. Dr Anja Human-Hendricks, a registered social worker from the University of the Western Cape, led the session titled “Consistency creates security — Empowering parents to build structure, routine and connection — at home and away.”
The workshop began with prayer and a warm welcome, setting the tone for an inspiring and practical morning.
Emotional availability
Human-Hendricks emphasised that effective parenting starts with being emotionally available to children, not just physically present. “Availability and affection build a secure bond,” she told the group, explaining how routines create predictability at home, which in turn improves children’s behaviour outside the home.
The session was highly interactive, with parents participating in discussions and practical activities designed to help them build healthy routines that give children stability and confidence. A key message was that discipline should be rooted in love – focused on teaching rather than punishment.
“Our greatest strength lies in our unity,” said Leslie Selbourne, PEP Programme Manager. “When parents rise up not only for their own child, but for every child in our care and community, we create a lasting legacy of hope, development and opportunity.”
The morning concluded with refreshments and fellowship, during which several parents shared testimonials about feeling encouraged and empowered by what they had learnt.
Step Ahead Educare owner Charlene Venter highlighted the importance of routine in children’s lives: “Routine is not just about structure — it is a gift we give to our children and ourselves. It is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to build trust, reduce anxiety, and encourage independence in children.”
Learning and growing
The programme aims to address the challenges many parents face in today’s fast-paced world, creating a safe space for learning, growing and connecting with other families.
Attendance at the first session of the year included parents from the Step Ahead Educare community, teachers from both Step Ahead Educare and New Beginning Educare, programme coordinators, and the centre’s owners.
The Parent Empowerment Programme is open to all parents in the Kuils River area, not just those connected to the school. Future workshops will continue to offer practical parenting tools, build confidence, and foster supportive community connections.
Visit www.stepaheadeducare.co.za, email info@stepaheadeducare.co.za, or phone 021 286 2152 or 081 427 9099 if interested to attend future workshops.
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