The Mother Goose Corner Day Care Centre, an early childhood development (ECD) centre, was recently honoured at the inaugural South African Early Childhood Development Awards (SAECD Awards).

The Germiston centre’s staff and learners are beaming with pride as they celebrate 25 years of nurturing young minds and shaping futures.

The team at Mother Goose shared their gratitude, “It feels wonderful. Being recognised at the SAECD Awards is a proud moment for our Mother Goose family. This achievement celebrates not just one person but a 25-year journey of passion, hard work and teamwork,” said the team.

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Founded with a dream of creating a safe, loving and stimulating environment for children, Mother Goose has grown into a beacon of early learning excellence.

The teachers say their passion for ECD stems from the joy and curiosity of their learners.

“Working with children gives us the privilege to help shape their foundation, and that’s a gift we never take for granted,” said principal Mathapelo Mathibela.

One of the school’s strengths is its teaching philosophy. Mother Goose follows the Reggio Emilia approach, which recognises the “hundred languages of children”, the belief that each child learns and expresses themselves in many ways. Their classrooms encourage creativity through play, art, music, storytelling and exploration.

“We encourage curiosity, creativity and confidence because learning should feel like an adventure. For Mother Goose, education extends beyond letters and numbers. The centre focuses on instilling core values like kindness, respect, independence and curiosity, qualities that help learners grow into well-rounded individuals,” said Mathibela.

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She said they want their learners to develop a love for learning and a belief in themselves. These values become the foundation for everything else they’ll achieve.

Reflecting on what set them apart at the awards, the team credited their collective spirit.

“Our strength lies in teamwork and a shared vision. Every member of the eam contributes to the same goal; nurturing happy, confident learners. After 25 years, our consistency and child-centered philosophy have become our signature,” said the team.

Like many educators, they face challenges in the classroom, from diverse learning needs to balancing creativity with structure, but they meet them with innovation and collaboration. Parental involvement is also central to their success.

“We see parents as partners. By maintaining open communication and involving them in school life, we build a strong sense of community around every child,” said Mathibela.

When asked what “excellence in teaching” means to them, they offered a heartfelt definition, “Excellence means showing up every day with heart and intention. It’s about inspiring children to love learning, adapting to their needs and continuously growing as educators,” she said.

She urged other aspiring ECD teachers to follow their passions.

“Follow your passion. Teaching young children is a calling, not just a career. Be patient, stay creative and never underestimate your impact,” said Mathibela.

As they look ahead, Mother Goose’s vision is to continue growing and innovating.

“We’re excited for the future. Our goal is to deepen our Reggio Emilia-inspired practices, empower more educators and keep creating environments where children’s voices are heard and their ideas valued. At Mother Goose, learning will always take flight,” said Mathibela.