Early Childhood Development
According to UNICEF, “Early years of childhood form the basis of intelligence, personality, social behaviour, and capacity to learn and nurture oneself as an adult. Early interventions for disadvantaged children lead to improvements in children’s survival, health, growth, and cognitive and social development.”
Studies have shown that in South Africa, around 49% of children from the poorest households, aged four to five, who are attending early learning programmes, are not meeting literacy and language standards for their age. This is one of many concerning statistics that shows that urgent intervention is needed in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) space to improve outcomes.
Masicorp’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) projects are dedicated to improving the quality of preschool education and care for children in Masiphumelele. Guided by research and community consultation, we take a participatory and rights-based approach, ensuring children have access to a clean, safe, and stimulating learning environment. We aim to provide the resources and opportunities needed to set young learners on a path to success.
Our work involves close collaboration with key stakeholders, including the City of Cape Town, the Department of Social Development (DSD), local NGOs, preschool principals, and the broader community. Together, we focus on improving facilities, training staff, enhancing health and nutrition, and registering Masicorp’s three ECD centres with the DSD to secure vital financial subsidies.
By addressing the needs of over 4,500 township children aged 1 to 6, our ECD projects aim to provide a brighter start and a stronger foundation for their futures.
Masiphumelele Educare
Masi Educare came under Masicorp’s management in 2016, thanks to the support of generous funders who helped us extend, renovate, and upgrade the school by adding eight new container classrooms. By early 2018, Masi Educare achieved full registration with the Department of Social Development (DSD), earning a prestigious gold status. This registration allows the centre to receive monthly funding, which helps subsidize school fees for parents and cover essential costs such as teacher salaries.
Currently, 156 children are enrolled at Masi Educare, cared for by a dedicated team of twelve staff members. While the DSD funding supports a portion of our operations, there are still overheads that aren’t fully covered, meaning we continue to seek additional funding to sustain the centre’s daily needs.
Masiphumelele Educare
Masi Educare came under Masicorp’s management in 2016, thanks to the support of generous funders who helped us extend, renovate, and upgrade the school by adding eight new container classrooms. By early 2018, Masi Educare achieved full registration with the Department of Social Development (DSD), earning a prestigious gold status. This registration allows the centre to receive monthly funding, which helps subsidize school fees for parents and cover essential costs such as teacher salaries.
Currently, 156 children are enrolled at Masi Educare, cared for by a dedicated team of twelve staff members. While the DSD funding supports a portion of our operations, there are still overheads that aren’t fully covered, meaning we continue to seek additional funding to sustain the centre’s daily needs.
Chasmay Educare
Chasmay Educare Centre, located on our Chasmay Road campus, currently cares for 120 children with a dedicated team of nine staff members, all from within the community. In 2019, the centre underwent much-needed renovations and upgrades, including the playground and facilities, thanks to the generosity of our donors.
We are excited to announce that Chasmay Educare is now partially registered by the Department of Social Development (DSD) with a bronze status. This is an important step toward receiving government funding, which will help cover the school’s running costs and provide daily meals for the children.
Sunnydale Educare
Sunnydale Educare is our latest project, taken over by Masicorp in April 2021. Since then, we’ve overseen significant renovations and upgrades to both the building and its grounds. In 2023, the school expanded to six classrooms, allowing us to care for 110 children with the support of seven dedicated staff members.
Sunnydale is now partially registered with the Department of Social Development (DSD) with a bronze status, and we’re excited to announce that an additional classroom will be added soon. The potential at Sunnydale is truly limitless, and we look forward to growing and offering even more life-changing education programmes.
Sunnydale Educare
Sunnydale Educare is our latest project, taken over by Masicorp in April 2021. Since then, we’ve overseen significant renovations and upgrades to both the building and its grounds. In 2023, the school expanded to six classrooms, allowing us to care for 110 children with the support of seven dedicated staff members.
Sunnydale is now partially registered with the Department of Social Development (DSD) with a bronze status, and we’re excited to announce that an additional classroom will be added soon. The potential at Sunnydale is truly limitless, and we look forward to growing and offering even more life-changing education programmes.
Stay & Play Programme
Our Stay & Play programme 17 informal crèches and 350 children participated in this programme which aims to improve the standard of early childhood education at informal crèches in Masiphumelele.
This long-running initiative sees crèche owners receiving support in stimulating the children in their care. This year, the Stay & Play hub (located at Sunnydale Educare) received a much-needed facelift, and the children are now also enjoying the newly renovated playground.
The hub is also the new home of an afternoon homework club, where primary school children from Masiphumelele can receive homework support, supervision and an afternoon snack.
School Feeding
Including feeding programs in preschools offers many benefits, including promoting regular attendance and creating more opportunities for learning. Good nutrition is essential for children to engage attentively with their surroundings and develop the capacity to learn.
At Masicorp, we recognize that many ECD families rely on the daily school meals we provide. With rising living costs and widespread unemployment, these meals are a lifeline. Parents send their children to school knowing they will receive warm, healthy, and hearty meals—sometimes the only ones they may eat that day.
In 2024 alone, our three centers will serve an incredible 92,880 breakfasts, 92,880 nutritious lunches, and 185,760 fruit snacks, ensuring our learners are nourished and ready to thrive.
School Feeding
Including feeding programs in preschools offers many benefits, including promoting regular attendance and creating more opportunities for learning. Good nutrition is essential for children to engage attentively with their surroundings and develop the capacity to learn.
At Masicorp, we recognize that many ECD families rely on the daily school meals we provide. With rising living costs and widespread unemployment, these meals are a lifeline. Parents send their children to school knowing they will receive warm, healthy, and hearty meals—sometimes the only ones they may eat that day.
In 2024 alone, our three centers will serve an incredible 92,880 breakfasts, 92,880 nutritious lunches, and 185,760 fruit snacks, ensuring our learners are nourished and ready to thrive.
Teachers Training
Well-trained and informed educators are key to delivering quality early childhood development. Masicorp’s ECD team of 28 teachers, administrators, and kitchen managers—all from the Masiphumelele community—bring invaluable local knowledge and understanding of the challenges our children and families face. By investing in their training, we ensure that our children are cared for by compassionate, skilled individuals who can address their unique needs.
Training includes formal ECD qualifications to CPR, epilepsy management, and child protection training. Other training includes workshops on nutrition, mental health and a fathers’ program encouraging involvement in their child’s development.
Masi Educare Address
2984 Masonwabe Road,
Masiphumelele
School Hours:
Monday to Friday – 07:30 AM – 16:30 PM.
The contact number for Masi Educare is 065 938 6092 / 021 785 1988.
Alternatively E-mail:
nolufefe@masicorp.org (administrator) or MasiEducare on masieducare@masicorp.org to find out more about this facility.
Chasmay Educare Address
1 Chasmay Road,
Sunnydale
School Hours:
Monday to Friday – 07:30 AM – 16:30 PM.
The contact number for Chasmay Educare is 081 380 8851.
Alternatively E-mail:
chasmayeducare@masicorp.org or Kholosa@masicorp.org
(administrator) to find out more about this facility.
Sunnydale Educare Address
5 Guinea Fowl Road
Sunnydale
School Hours:
Monday to Friday – 07:30 AM – 16:30 PM.
The contact number for Sunnydale Educare is 081 584 2745.
Alternatively E-mail:
nosi@masicorp.org (administrator) or
sunnydaleeducare@masicorp.org to find out more about this facility.