Timeline

Raindrops Early Childhood Development Centre

The Riverfields Foundation along with Equites and The Michel Lanfranchi Foundation is proud to introduce Raindrops Early Childhood Development Centre, our most significant community project to date. Opening in 2026, Raindrops ECD will offer a safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning environment for young children in the surrounding communities — ensuring that every child receives the strong start in life they deserve.
 
This project timeline will be consistently updated as Raindrops ECD grows, allowing you to follow the journey with us. As we continue preparing and expanding the centre, additional support and involvement remain essential. We invite you to connect with us to explore how you can be part of bringing Raindrops ECD to life.
July 2025
Project vision

The Riverfields Foundation, together with its partners Equites and the The Michel Lanfranchi Foundation, is proud to present the development of a brand-new Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre, opening 1 March 2026.

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November 2025
Classrooms Arrive On Site

Two fully equipped classrooms, along with dedicated bathroom facilities and a small kitchen area, have now been delivered to site. These modular units form the core of the Raindrops ECD centre and will provide safe, functional, and child-friendly spaces for daily learning, play, and meal preparation.

List
List of donation needs

A range of big and small donation needs — making it possible for individuals, families, churches, and businesses to contribute at any level that suits their budget.

List of Donations
November 2025
Personnel interviews and orientation start

ECD specialists Yolandi van den Heever-Breytenbach and Sophie Breytenbach, together with members of the Riverfields Foundation, conducted interviews with individuals from the local community we aim to uplift. This process ensured that the development of the Raindrops ECD Centre created not only a new learning environment for children, but also employment and empowerment opportunities for adults in the area. Three appointments were made, with training beginning in November 2025 and continuing more extensively through January and February 2026 ahead of the March opening.

November 2025
Getting our classrooms ready

From November 2025, classroom equipment, furnishings, educational games and other essentials have been prepared to help create a safe, engaging, and supportive environment where learners can flourish. A donation box at Harvest Place also invites contributions of toys, stationery, books, and other items that may benefit our little ones. Section 18A certificates are available through the Riverfields Foundation for qualifying donations.

January 2026
Parent and guardian meet and greet
In early January, we met with the parents and guardians of the first learners enrolled at the centre. Following this meet and greet, half-hour conversations were held with each family to gain a deeper understanding of their circumstances, hopes, and challenges. This reflects the heart of the ECD programme: not only to support each child, but also to walk alongside their family.
January and February 2026
Continued preparation and getting ready

Preparation has continued at pace as the team gets everything in place to welcome learners. Personnel are now on campus multiple days a week, while ECD head Yolandi is working from the premises daily to lead training, oversee preparations, and ensure the centre is ready for opening.

March 2026
9 March 2026: Day one

On 9 March 2026, the Raindrops ECD Centre officially opened — the first day of what we trust will be a long and meaningful journey ahead. The centre welcomed its first 17 learners, with plans to grow to a capacity of 40 over time. With the daily programme prepared and the team ready, it was wonderful to see happy children arriving for school on their very first morning.