It was a dream come true for the founder of Keurboom Nursery School, when the school officially opened its first library last week.
The nursery school opened in 1992, with 17 children in one classroom and one teacher, Janine McBeth. Today it is situated in a old home in Rondebosch, off Milner Road, with welcoming gardens and a huge play area. Ms McBeth still serves as the head of the school.
At the opening on Thursday April 25, Ms McBeth said she and her mother, Liz van Bredaar, had always dreamed of opening a library, and today they were able to make this a reality.
“My family had always supported me and helped to bring the school to where it is today,” she said.
Ms McBeth invited long-time sponsor of the school, Manuel Branco (former owner of Rosmead Kwikspar), to the event, saying she thought it fitting that he be the one to open the library.
“We have walked a long path with Mr Branco, and he was always willing to sponsor whatever we needed. When the school moved to Rondebosch, he sponsored a classroom, and we wanted to show our appreciation for his support over the years,” she said.
Ms Van Bredaar, who has been involved in the education sector for years, said the opening was in line with World Book Day, celebrated on Tuesday April 23, and said the idea behind the library was for the children to have story time in the library every week. They would also be able to take the books home.
She encouraged parents to read to their children, saying it was a very special time, and helped to not only develop their imagination, but improved their language skills, and was a creative outlet.
The school accommodates children from the age of two to the end of Grade RR (ages 4 to 5). The school is open from 7.15am to 5.30pm, and is recognised by the Western Cape Education Department.