I am an ECD practitioner at Legomela Day Care Centre, situated in Ga-Mailula in Limpopo. Every day I wake up with a purpose – to make a difference in the lives of the youngest members of our community.

I want to take you on a journey with me, a journey that begins every morning at our ECD centre in this beautiful rural community.

My day begins early, around 7:00 am. As I arrive at the centre, I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the energy and excitement that lies ahead. Our humble ECD centre is vibrant, filled with curious eyes, giggles, and the boundless energy of young children. They run to me, shouting, “Ma’am Francina! Ma’am Francina!” They share stories from home and recount events from the day before. I listen attentively. I witness their growth, from timid little ones into bold, expressive individuals ready to take on the world. It’s how God designed it. I feel that my role is to meet them where they are. Their happiness in seeing me is a joy that I carry with me every single day.

My day starts early, around 7:00 am. As I arrive at the centre, I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the energy and excitement that lies ahead. Our humble ECD centre is vibrant, with curious eyes, giggling laughter, and the boundless energy of young children. They ran to me shouting, “Ma’am Francina! Ma’am Francina!” They tell me stories from home, things that happened the day before. I listen. I see them grow – from timid little ones into bold, expressive individuals who are ready to take on the world. God created it like that. I don’t know what else to do but to meet them where they are. They are just happy to see me, and that happiness is something I carry with me every single day.

The first task is to ensure everything is ready for our little learners. I lay out all the areas, especially the story corner. I set up the classrooms, prepare the materials, and make sure the environment is safe and welcoming. The children enter the classroom at 8:00, some bubbling with excitement, while others are a bit shy. My colleagues and I greet each child warmly, making sure they feel loved and valued.

The morning circle serves as a time for connection and setting the theme for the day. We make sure that every person in every class knows what they will be doing, and that no two sessions are the same.

The day is filled with storytelling, singing songs, doing puzzles, and playing games that spark imagination and growth. We learn about shapes, colours, numbers, and letters in ways that make the children laugh and want to come back for more. When I go through a lesson, I don’t just talk at them. I present, I question, I engage as I go. Their ‘aha’ moments are my greatest reward.

We have snacks together at 10:00 A.M. and lunch at 12:00 P.M. Mealtimes are another opportunity for social learning. We practise table manners, try new foods, and have conversations. I eat the same food as my children, and I sit down with them. I believe that is part of why they love being around me.

In the afternoon, we focus on more structured activities that build on what they have learned in the morning, including outdoor play, music, and creative arts. Every moment is a chance for growth and discovery. And then, as the day winds down, I also open the centre to children from the village and other schools who come to sit with me and talk about the things of life. It is what I do every day. It is about making a difference in their lives, and through them, in our community.

My highlight of the day is watching the children interact with one another. They learn to share, to cooperate, and to build friendships. These social skills are just as important as academic knowledge. I often find myself smiling at their innocent yet profound observations about life. That is when I go deeper with storytelling.

In rural settings, resources might be limited, but the potential of the children is limitless.