The Cape Town Pre-School That Became a Refuge of Safety for Little Ones

Photo Credit: Ladles of Love via Facebook

When violence in the community of Philippi East threatened the well-being of its children, one pre-school didn’t just move; they transformed. Relocating 60km away, the ECD centre evolved into a full-time rescue and a second home.

Cape Town, South Africa (27 February 2026) – Philippi East can be vividly described as a township in the Cape Flats region of Cape Town, characterised by a mix of residential, industrial, and agricultural land, but it is also devastatingly marked by its extreme violence. A kind of violence so relentless that it affects even the youngest and most innocent of souls.

It’s a multifaceted community where gunshots have been known to interrupt bedtime stories, and where a local preschool, simply trying to feed and educate little ones, was forced to move from its premises after being demanded for “protection fees”. Money meant for uniforms and warm meals was being claimed by gangs in exchange for safety.

The danger became too real. So, Community Kids Pots made a courageous decision to relocate 60km away to Chatsworth. And today, what was once an ECD centre has become a rescue, shares Ladles of Love who supports the school.

The principal and practitioners uprooted their own lives so the children wouldn’t have to face danger alone. They created a home filled with warm meals, comfortable beds and laughter echoing down hallways where sirens once dominated the night.

More than 20 children live there during the week. They eat, sleep and learn in what is now their second home. On weekends, they are transported back to their families and brought back again to safety.

“But here is the hard truth. Many parents are not paying school fees. There are no extra contributions for after-hours care. Not even the weekly transport costs are being covered. Love is being given freely – yet responsibility is not being shared. And love alone cannot sustain the weight of 24-hour care,” Love Ladles shares.

These dedicated educators and carers sacrifice so much and show up daily despite exhaustion and limited resources to ensure the safety, dignity, nourishment and hope of the little ones in their care.

What started as a classroom has become a bold demonstration of the lengths a community will go to keep the innocence of childhood alive.

Ladles of Love is proud to stand behind these unsung heroes, but keeping this centre running is a team effort. You can help provide the meals and safety these children deserve by donating to Community Kids Pots through the Nourish Our Children programme.