Masikhule, meaning "we are growing," offers nurturing care for 40 children, ages 2-6, in 3 classrooms. Our ECD centre, founded in 2018, not only serves as a centre of excellence from which we can use our human & material resources as a hub for the ECDC Support Network, but also to support the health project: many healthcare professionals can commit to such a rural hospital long-term while their children's early education is being taken care of on-site. 

Layita supports ECD centres in the wider Elliotdale region through support visits, training workshops & resources. Our partnership with SmartStart & Khululeka is also key in this project - together, 60 new ECD practitioners are equipped & supported to run an ECD centre as a small business, creating safe spaces for learning as well as a means to an income. Our bi-annual Internship Programme, based at Masikhule, further equips individuals to gain the skills & confidence to grow their own ECD work.

Though the early years are by far the most impactful, we know that older children & adults also need healthy recreational activities & opportunities for further learning. In this respect, we're working on our ever-growing library & over After School Programmes three days a week. We are also an official distribution partner for BookDash.