About Stepping stones
We believe in …
Stepping Stones is more than just a day-care centre. Although we provide a valuable facility for working parents, our purpose extends beyond this. Our approach places the holistic development of the child at the centre of the learning process. We favour non-competitive cooperative learning methodologies that focus on the child, both as an individual, and as a part of a learning, growing community.
History
Stepping Stones Children’s Centre has a rich history. Founded in 1976, the centre opened its doors for the first time to 20 pre-school children in the premises of the old Albertus Street Primary School. The school was closed in the late 1960s as a result of the forced removals under the Group Areas Act. It became a project of the Buitenkant Street Methodist Church lead by Rev. Dr Charles Villa-Vicencio. Many parents who had been forcefully removed from District Six still came to work in the city and had no safe place to leave their children while they were at work. The church responded to this challenge by establishing a day-care centre. One of the founding principles of the centre was that children would not be classified according to race.
As a result of this, the school received no funding from the State throughout the apartheid years. The school started with a minimal budget and for a long time relied on volunteers in the classrooms, the kitchen and the office.
Registration
Admissions take place annually. You can collect the application form from 01 July at the school or request by email: ssadmin@telkomsa.net. All forms must be returned by no later than 31 August. No registration fee is required. In September you will receive a notification to attend a meeting at the school in October.
We invite you to come and enjoy a tour of the school – please contact us to arrange an appointment to view.
If you need to find a place for your child once the school year has already started, please contact the office to enquire if there is space available.
Fees
A scaling structure linked to the income of parents determines the monthly payable fees per child. Fees are for full daycare. The Fee scale is determined by the income of the parents/caregivers. Parents have to provide proof of income to the school. Please note that the annual fee increase for the following year will be determined by the board of Stepping Stones in November. There are 11 monthly fee payments for the year (January to November), payable in advance at the beginning of the month.
Staff
The staff at Stepping Stones comprises of the following positions:
Principal: Thelma Chisholm.
1 Curriculum Staff Support/Office Admin
3 Early Childhood Development Level 5 Practitioners
1 Grade R teacher (CAPS trained)
1 Aftercare Educare practitioner for Grade R
1 General cleaner
1 Cook
1 General assistant & Gate security
1 Staff Support Educarer
1 Library support staff
2 Enrichment staff & volunteers
1 Fees Coordinator
The Board
The Stepping Stones Board of Management consists of representatives elected from the parent body, members of the Central Methodist Mission Cape Town and members of the community. The board supports the Principal and provides oversight and governance support.
The board consist of the following positions:
1 Chairperson
The Principal of the Centre
1 Vice-Chairperson
1 Treasurer
1 Secretary
3 Parent Representatives
2 Representatives from CMM
Donors/Partners
We sincerely appreciate the assistance and donations received from the many individuals and organisations who have supported us in the past, and those who continue to do so. Without this generous support, the development and opportunities afforded the graduates of Stepping Stones Children’s Centre would not have been possible.
Thank you for your generosity!
We are particularly grateful to the following supporters:
Bevan Trust
Central Methodist Mission, Cape Town
Charly’s Bakery
Department of Social Development
Elmhurst College, Chicago
Methodist Church of SA
My School
District Six Museum (Partner)
Woodheads (Partner)
Ukuhamba Nabantwana Kwi ECD Trust
Western Cape Education Department