New ECD chairman ready to open doors
The 43-year-old married mother of two who has lived in Wentworth her whole life, took over the Fairytales Crèche eight years ago and has loved every moment of it. With a background in educating – she has worked at Wentworth High School for 21 years and continues to do so – the move to ECD centre owner was an easy one.
COMMUNITY-minded mother, Laurel Cook is the new chairman of the Wentworth Early Childhood Development Forum (WECDF) executive committee and is ready to open doors for the women of Wentworth.
Cook has been involved in the forum since its inception, but has waited until now to take up the reigns as leader. “I wanted to hear the voices of the other people involved and gain from their experience,” she said.
She believes the forum is a way of investing in ECD, the community and empowering women. “These women who started crèches and ECD centres, are from Wentworth, which was always challenged by socio-economic problems. They realised they can do something. They did not sit back and wait for the world to give them something. They did what they needed to do and put food on their families’ tables,” said Cook.
The 43-year-old married mother of two who has lived in Wentworth her whole life, took over the Fairytales Crèche eight years ago and has loved every moment of it. With a background in educating – she has worked at Wentworth High School for 21 years and continues to do so – the move to ECD centre owner was an easy one.
Strong-willed and determined, Cook is proud of the work the forum has achieved so far, but believes she can take it even further. “I look forward to our monthly forum meetings. These women come with so much purpose. They even dress the part. Even though it is just a monthly meeting, they dress for success and their hair and make-up is always done.
At these meetings we discuss best practises, see where we are with department officials and partners, look at our progress, discuss what’s on offer with workshops and training and those on training give feedback. We help one another and validate the work being done. I plan to improve this quality of work, though my corporate experience and to improve the quality of ECD in the community.”
The new chairman is joined by five other executive committee members: Doreen Hamiel, Angie Skippers, Pearl Windvogel, Laurel Cook and Romany Roberts.
