In a township where quality childcare is scarce, Tsakane Day Care demonstrates how dedicated community leadership can create structured, nurturing environments that prepare children for educational success.
By Zanele Makola
In the bustling township of Nellmapius, Pretoria, South Africa where working parents often struggle to find reliable, quality childcare, one woman has spent nearly two decades proving that excellent early childhood development doesn’t require expensive infrastructure—just unwavering commitment and smart systems.
Tsakane Day Care, established by Salome Manganye in 2007, serves as more than a place where parents can safely leave their children while at work. It has become a model of how individual vision can address systemic childcare gaps in under-resourced communities, offering structured learning, comprehensive care, and innovative safety protocols that could be replicated across similar townships.
“Nothing brings me more joy than seeing a child’s smile,” says the 55-year-old Manganye, whose center cares for 11 children aged 6 months to 5 years. But beyond the warmth, Tsakane operates with the precision of a well-oiled machine—a necessity when serving families who depend on reliable, quality care to maintain their livelihoods.
Structured learning that works
The center’s success lies in its thoughtfully designed daily structure. Beginning with early morning Bible study at 8:30 AM, every activity is carefully timed to match children’s attention spans—30-minute rotations through learning, play, and development stations. This isn’t accidental; it reflects Manganye’s understanding that young children need predictable routines to thrive.
“I make sure every child is well-fed before they can start learning. Breakfast is very important and it helps children focus better,” explains Manganye. The bilingual approach—teaching in both Sepedi and English—directly addresses the language transition challenges many township children face when entering formal schooling.
The center’s play-based learning model aligns with South African legal requirements while maximizing developmental impact. Children rotate through toy areas, gaming zones, building stations, and art corners, fostering independence and time management skills that will serve them throughout their educational journey.
Innovation in safety and accountability
Perhaps most notably, Tsakane has developed a comprehensive sign-in/sign-out system that addresses one of parents’ greatest concerns: child safety. Every drop-off and pickup requires documentation of the child’s name, guardian details, time, and contact information. This simple yet effective protocol has operated flawlessly since 2007, creating accountability while building trust with families.
“This system has been working for us since we started. I really care about the safety of our children,” says Manganye. In communities where informal childcare arrangements are common, such systematic approaches to child safety represent significant innovation.
Addressing real challenges
The center faces familiar obstacles that plague many community-based ECD facilities: irregular fee payments and unexplained child withdrawals that disrupt planning and sustainability. Yet rather than compromising quality, Manganye has maintained consistent standards while adapting to economic realities facing township families.
The center’s meal program—featuring nutritious breakfast porridge, mid-morning peanut butter sandwiches, proper lunches, and afternoon snacks—recognizes that many children depend on these meals for basic nutrition. The structured rest periods and extended operating hours (6:00 AM to 5:00 PM) acknowledge the realities of working parents’ schedules.
A replicable model
Tsakane Day Care demonstrates several strategies that could transform ECD provision in similar communities:
Systematic safety protocols that build parent trust without requiring expensive technology or infrastructure. The simple logging system could be adopted by any childcare provider seeking to enhance safety and accountability.
Structured learning rotations that maximize developmental impact within resource constraints. The 30-minute activity stations optimize attention spans while ensuring comprehensive skill development.
Responsive meal programs that address nutrition gaps while supporting learning readiness. Regular, healthy meals enable children to focus on educational activities rather than hunger.
Bilingual preparation that eases the transition to formal schooling. By incorporating both mother-tongue and English instruction, children arrive at primary school better equipped for academic success.
Scaling the vision
In a country where quality early childhood development remains unevenly distributed, Tsakane’s nearly two-decade track record offers proof that excellence is achievable within existing constraints. The center’s approach—combining systematic safety measures, structured learning, comprehensive nutrition, and responsive scheduling—provides a blueprint for community-led ECD transformation.
For other townships facing similar childcare challenges, Manganye’s model demonstrates that sustainable quality doesn’t require massive external investment. It requires one dedicated leader willing to implement smart systems, maintain high standards, and genuinely prioritize children’s holistic development.
As South Africa continues addressing early childhood development gaps, facilities like Tsakane prove that solutions often emerge from within communities themselves. The question isn’t whether quality ECD is possible in townships—Salome Manganye has been answering that question affirmatively for seventeen years. The question is how quickly other communities can adapt and scale these proven approaches.
In Nellmapius, one woman’s commitment to excellence has created ripple effects that extend far beyond her 11 young charges. Every child who transitions successfully to primary school, every parent who can work with confidence, every family strengthened by reliable care represents the broader impact possible when community vision meets sustained dedication.
