SAEP works with 10 to 15 partner educare centres at any given time that range in structure from informal shacks made of tin and wood to brick buildings with leak-proof roofs. Improvements at the centres are ongoing and entirely dependent on the availability of resources and volunteers. We have been fortunate in rebuilding four of the oldest and most problematic centres, Zamukhanyo, Qhamani, Noncedo, and Noluthando and are continuously making structural improvements at the other centres as funds are donated.   

The educare centres are evaluated on a regular basis by SAEP staff, in accordance to the ECD criteria set out by the Departments of Education and Social Services. It is SAEP’s goal for each of the educare centres to attain “graduation” (see “SAEP Graduation Criteria for Philippi ECD Centres”) status and the ability to stand as an independent, self-sustaining early childhood development centre. 

We are always accepting donations of educational toys and games, as well as mattresses, cutlery, first aid equipment, desks and chairs. In addition, monetary donations that could be used to repair fences, fix roofs and build jungle gyms are also a great way to support Philippi's most vulnerable asset - its children! 

Please see the individual educare centres profiles below with a list of their current needs. If you are interested in supporting a centre, please visit the donation page or contact Isabel at isabel@saep.org. 

A very special relationship between a Philippi crèche and a supporting organisation can be found in Kiddies Educare and Forres Preparatory School, Rondebosch. This relationship is an outstanding example of ways local schools and organizations can become intimately involved in their community, forming a long-term affiliation with countless positive outcomes. If your organization is interested in replicating the Forres model or other forms of long-term cooperation and giving, please email Isabel Babenschneider on isabel@saep.org. Read more about our ‘Adopt a Crèche’ programme here.

The Crèches are In Need of Funds for the Following:

• Mattresses and covers; dishes and spoons; stoves, fridges and kitchen appliances; tables, chairs, and desks; outdoor play equipment; educational toys; baby cots; fire extinguishers; first aid equipment; numeracy and literacy books; story books in English and Xhosa
• First aid training; continuing early childhood education; fundraising and financial management training; mentoring support for crèche principals and staff

SAEP’s 10 Active Partner Centres  

(Please note numbers of children and staff change from time to time)  

Babalwa Educare Centre

Principal: Nomntu Bidli; 70 children; 5 staff members.   

In 2006, the centre received funds from the Department of Social Services through the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD) for the construction of a new wooden building, and in 2008, a gift of land from the municipality expanded Babalwa's formerly meager outdoor space, growing the play area for the children. Also that year, a grant from the Dutch organisation ”Wings of Support” was used to purchase kitchen cupboards as well as tiling and paint for the building. Two visiting Norwegian volunteers generously donated a laptop to the centre, and arranged for the principal and staff to have computer lessons. [Read more]   

Ikamvalethu Educare

Principal: Nomnikelo Princess Nxumalo; 148 children; 5 staff members.   

Ikamvalethu has a large building, lots of outside space and even a vegetable garden. The centre is poorly equipped and the roof is in urgent need of repair. SAEP started working with Ikamvalethu in 2008 and is in the process of organising necessary renovations and equipping the classrooms with tables, chairs, mattresses, baby cots and educational toys. [Read more]  

Kiddies Educare Centre

Principal: Margaret Makhafola; 45 children; 2 staff members.   

SAEP began work with Kiddies in 2007. The structure, built on the grounds of the principal’s home, is in need of renovation and maintenance, and is too small to accommodate the growing number of children enrolled. Their greatest needs are mattresses for the children, educational toys and first aid training for the teachers. In 2008, Kiddies formed a partnership with a local pre-primary school in Rondebosch, which has become actively involved in the educare centre, initiating fundraising activities, donations and school exchanges for the children. A major goal of this collaboration is the building of a new structure with the help of SAEP and hopefully other donors! [Read more]  

Makukhanye Educare

Principal: Nomahobe Manyela; 48 children; 4 staff members.   

Makukhanye is one of our newest centres, and started working with SAEP mid 2008. The centre consists of three classrooms, two for the toddlers and one for the 3-4 year olds. Through the help of Wings of Support and Indigo Cosmetics, Makukhanye was recently able to put up new fencing with a lockable gate around the property. Makukhanye is not yet registered with the Departments of Education and Social Services and receives no subsidy. [Read more]   

Nkosi Educare

Principal: Daisy Thomsana; 37 children; 2 staff members.   

Nkosi is one of SAEP’s neediest centres and Thomsana family faces numerous challenges, namely a lack of financial resources. Money for salaries, equipment and feeding of the children is unavailable. Nkosi was established in 2007, and as of November 2009, cares for 37 children daily while operating from Principal Thomsana's home. It is not yet registered with the Departments of Education and Social Services, and therefore receives no state subsidy. Nkosi Educare Centre is in the process of being registered as a Non-Profit Organisation. [Read more] 

Nolufefe Educare

Principal: Zukiswa Jafta; 90 children; 4 staff members.   

The centre started working with SAEP late 2008, but had already been operating for over a decade. Their greatest challenge at the moment is the infrastructure, which is in need of considerable renovation and maintenance to make it safe and waterproof. The centre also lacks outdoor equipment and educational resources. [Read more]  

Qhamani Educare

Principal: Nokhaya Manxiwa-Nqeza; 105 children; 6 staff members.   

Qhamani is considered one of SAEP-ECD's greatest successes to date. In 2008, the original rickety building was demolished and a new, double-storey brick building was built through the generous support of national and international donors. Thanks to many volunteers, and Isabel Babenschneider who led their efforts, Qhamani’s infrastructure was completed with internal plastering and painting, reinforced ceilings and tiled floors. Qhamani also received donations for a new jungle gym in 2009! Many thanks to all of the volunteers who helped, as well as all the donors that contributed to the success of this fantastic project! [Read more]  

Sakhingomso Educare

Principal: Phelisa Kanzi; 60 children; 3 staff members.   

Sakhingomso Educare Centre has been operating as a pre-school since 2005 and joined SAEP in 2008. The building requires renovation and maintenance to improve the overall safety and security. Sakhingomso Educare received a generous donation through the Rotary Club of Claremont in early 2008, in addition to an electric stove and kitchen utensils donated by the Red Hat Renegades. [Read more]  

Thandolwethu Educare 

Principal: Constance Ndzelwane; 6 children; 1 additional staff member.   

The centre does not receive any form of funding or support apart from SAEP’s and is therefore financially dependent on the minimal school fees paid by the parents. The original building consisted of one small and dark classroom that was badly in need of renovation. With the help of a Dutch volunteer, Sandra Scholten, and Wings of Support, SAEP was able to build a small but strong and new structure for the crèche in 2009. [Read more]   

Zamukhanyo Educare

Principal: Nobuntu Mkhencele (Sindiswa Tebeka); 126 children; 5 staff members.   

The centre has a new building, constructed in 2007, that consists of two large classrooms, and a kitchen that were erected and painted thanks to the help of many donors and volunteers. In 2008, Zamukhanyo was the last of SAEP’s original educare centres to become registered with the Department of Social Services and since mid-2009, the centre actually receives their state subsidy! [Read more] 

No Longer Members: Green Village Educare, Ruth First Educare 

Currently Inactive Members: Kamva Educare, Noluthando Educare, Noncedo Educare, Qhama Educare