Baemedi program: Sponsor and match with a Child

Introduction:

This edition celebrates a season filled with learning, laughter, and growth at Ratanang Day Care Centre. From our little athletes shining on Sports Day, to learning about personal safety during Child Protection Week, and an unforgettable visit from the City of Tshwane Disaster Management Team — our learners experienced a well-rounded term of development and discovery. These key events not only brought joy and excitement but also deepened our children’s understanding of health, safety, and teamwork. Join us as we reflect on these memorable moments that are shaping our learners into confident, capable individuals!

Sports Day Event

On 20 March 2025, Ratanang Day Care Centre proudly participated in a fun and exciting Sports Day event attended by Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs) in Mabopane who are affiliated with the Derelang Bana Forum. This initiative was designed to promote physical development, teamwork, and healthy competition among young learners. Events such as these also foster emotional resilience, discipline, and social interaction — key components in holistic child development.

 Community Sports Day

The first leg of the Sports Day event took place at Mabopane Indoor Sports Centre. Our little champions enthusiastically took part in a variety of age-appropriate sporting activities including:

• Sack races

• Ball and spoon races

• Relay games

• 50m races

It was a day filled with cheers, laughter, and celebration. Each participating ECD centre was awarded a certificate of attendance and medals, adding a meaningful sense of accomplishment and pride for all the children involved. Following the March event, two outstanding learners (Tolulope and Atlegang) from Ratanang Day Care Centre were selected to represent the centre in the second leg of the Sports Day, held at the prestigious Pilditch Stadium on 13 May 2025. At this regional showcase, our young athletes competed against representatives from various ECD centres. They demonstrated exceptional courage, focus, and sportsmanship throughout the event. In addition, the follow-up event allowed learners to engage on a larger stage, experience new environments like Pilditch Stadium, and feel the pride of representing their centre at a regional level.

Ratanang Day Care Centre proudly placed fourth overall — a notable achievement that reflects the dedication of our learners, educators, and support staff. We are incredibly proud of the efforts and achievements of our learners who participated in both legs of the Sports Day event. Their performance not only exemplified physical ability but also highlighted growth in confidence and teamwork.

These events reaffirm our belief in the power of early childhood development programs that go beyond academics — nurturing the body, mind, and spirit of every child. Ratanang Day Care Centre is incredibly proud of our learners’ performance. We believe in nurturing the whole child — body, mind, and spirit — and opportunities like these are vital in achieving that goal. We look forward to participating in future sports days and will continue to support our little champions as they grow stronger, braver, and more confident through play.

Child Protection event 

Event Ratanang Day Care Kiddies attended the Child Protection Awareness Event held on 16 May 2025 at the Mabopane Indoor Centre as part of Lesedi la Batho’s ongoing efforts to create safer, informed communities for children. The event aimed to educate children about children’s rights, protection mechanisms, and how to respond to abuse and neglect. The campaign was aligned with National Child Protection Week and drew participants from local ECD, SAPS, City of Tshwane Metro Police Department etc ECD Learners performed powerful dramatizations, songs and poems that illustrated real-life experiences and the importance of speaking out. that advocated for children’s protection.

Children took part in ageappropriate activities and workshops that helped them understand personal boundaries, consent, and safe spaces. This is a fun way that teachers use to create awareness about one of the rapidly increasing social issue which is child abuse. Representatives from various government institutions also • spoke on topics such as identifying abuse, reporting procedures, and child rights. The Child Protection Event was a significant milestone in Lesedi la Batho’s mission to protect and empower children. It reinforced the importance of community-wide efforts in safeguarding our future generations. We believe that events like this are not just informative — they are transformative, helping children find their voices and communities to listen and act

City of Tshwane Disaster Management Team Visit

A Hot Lesson in Safety! Tshwane Fire & Disaster Team Visits Our Learners Introduction As part of our commitment to providing holistic early childhood education and reinforcing child protection themes, Ratanang Day Care Centre hosted a special visit from the City of Tshwane Disaster Management Team, including the Fire & Rescue Department. This interactive event formed part of the learners’ curriculum theme on child protection, offering them a real-life learning experience that emphasized safety, emergency preparedness, and the role of community helpers.

The visit featured a dynamic safety presentation tailored for young learners. The Disaster Management Team spoke to the children about how fires can start, how to avoid dangerous situations, and most importantly, what steps to take in the event of a fire emergency. The firefighters engaged the children in a fun and age-appropriate manner, ensuring that the safety messages were both impactful and easy to understand.

A major highlight of the visit was the live demonstration involving a real fire truck. Learners had the chance to explore the vehicle, observe the fire hose in use, and learn about the equipment firefighters use in emergencies. This hands-on interaction sparked curiosity and excitement, leaving a lasting impression on the children. The visit also supported our broader goal of instilling a sense of civic awareness and respect for public service workers — helping learners recognize the important role they play in our communities.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the City of Tshwane Disaster Management and Fire & Rescue teams for their time, generosity, and dedication to child education and safety. Their efforts made this an unforgettable and meaningful experience for our learners.

The visit was a resounding success and a perfect way to wrap up our Child Protection theme. Events like these not only educate but inspire, showing our children that learning happens beyond the classroom and that their safety is always a priority. We look forward to future collaborations with the City of Tshwane in our continued efforts to build safe, informed, and empowered young citizens.

Education is the key to success, and at Ratanang Day Care Centre, we believe that every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their home circumstances. Our holistic approach to early childhood development ensures that children receive not only academic preparation but also essential life skills, social support, and emotional growth.

With three structured classes—Babies (0-2 years), Toddlers (2-3 years), and Young Children (3-4 years)—we provide tailored learning experiences that foster independence, confidence, and cognitive development. In 2024, the Baemedi Project sponsored 27 learners, covering their educational, social, and psychological needs with the help of our dedicated teachers and a qualified social worker.

Growing and Thriving: Our Learners' Progress

Our children continue to reach new milestones as they grow and develop within the structured learning environment of Ratanang Day Care. Here’s where they are now:

Oreagile, Leaono, and Keamogetswe successfully progressed from the Babies Class to the Toddlers Class. They are now fully potty trained, more independent, able to express themselves verbally, follow instructions, and use crayons with confidence.

Odirile, Larona, Kelebogile, Atlegang, Omphemetse, Molebogeng, and Mpho have moved from the Toddlers Class to the Young Children’s Class. As the seniors of the day care, they are preparing for Big School, learning how to write, recite the alphabet, and count from 1 to 10.

Several of our former Young Children have now moved on to Grade R in different primary schools in Mabopane.

Success Stories: Rising Stars of Ratanang

The journey of every child is unique, and we celebrate their growth and accomplishments:

Andiswa joined Ratanang in February 2024 as a shy child who spoke only Zulu. With the support of our teachers, she gradually adapted to Setswana and English, allowing her to interact confidently with her peers and actively participate in class.

Basetsana, an energetic and talented athlete, was always eager to learn. She has now transitioned to Grade R, where she continues to shine academically and in sports.

Otsile, a humble and responsible child, started in the Toddlers Class in 2023 and moved up to Young Children in 2024. Now in Grade R, he carries forward his values of accountability and peace.

Kutlano, a bright and enthusiastic learner, never hesitated to participate in class discussions. Even when unsure of an answer, she bravely attempted every question. She is now embracing the challenges of Grade R.

Inamandla, a disciplined and talented singer, enjoyed sharing the gospel with her peers. She is now thriving in Grade R at Nong Primary School in Mabopane Block C.

Dimpho, a compassionate and sociable learner, is currently enrolled in Grade R at Retlilepele Primary School in Mabopane Block B, where she continues to make friends and excel in her studies.

Olitilwe, nicknamed "Soccer Star," showed remarkable talent in sports and always excelles in athletics. Now in Grade R at Kopa Dilalelo Primary School, he will continue to shine in soccer and athletics.

Ongoing Support and Follow-Ups

We understand that transitioning to primary school is a significant step for our learners. That’s why we work closely with our Centre Social Worker to conduct follow-ups, ensuring the well-being and academic progress of our former students. By maintaining strong connections with their schools, we strive to provide continuous support and guidance, helping them navigate their educational journeys successfully.

At Ratanang Day Care Centre, we are not just providing education—we are shaping the future. Through structured learning, compassionate teaching, and unwavering support, we are empowering children to dream big and reach their full potential. With every milestone achieved, we celebrate the resilience, growth, and boundless possibilities that education unlocks.