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Our journey

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Cotlands journey

Cotlands has been serving South African children and their families for over 85 years. 

  • Launched a multi-year toy library project with Exxaro to improve ECD services in Limpopo.
  • Development of Cotlands Social Enterprise, creating new revenue streams that will sustain our mission.
  • Implementing partner for PLAY training since 2017. The platform was officially handed over to DBE - 647 810 registrations | 374 537 completions - March 2024.
  • Winner in the NPO category for Integrated Reporting Awards; enhancing transparency & stakeholder comms.
  • Upgraded our accounting system to Sage Evolution 200
  • Received SACE endorsement for short courses focused on play-based learning.
  • Launched a multi-year toy library project with Standard Bank to improve the quality of ECD services in Free State.
  • Implementing HECTOR software in the toy library programme
  • Identification of a local municipality in Gauteng to advocate for the setup of a toy library in a public book library
  • Enhanced our Board pack structure and content and held development sessions to improve the skills of Board members.
  • 45 learners continued with the CotlandsIgnite accredited courses with 12 new enrolments in the year
  • Launched an early learning programme operating from a truck reaching 50 children
  • Celebrated our 85th Birthday
  • Playsa.org celebrated its fifth year of providing play-based learning courses
  • Three learners completed our SETA-accredited New Venture Creation: Toy Library Skills Development course
  • A total of 45 learners completing accredited courses on CotlandsIgnite™
  • Launch a mobile ELPG programme operating from a truck for a community in Krugersdorp, Johannesburg
  • Launched an inaugural Cotlands Charity Golf Day in February 2022
  • Launched a successful employee wellness and values campaign
  • Implemented a new stock management system developed specifically for toy libraries
  • Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the temporary closure from March to August
  • QCTO Level 4 ECD Practitioner qualification accredited
  • New Venture Creation Toy Library Skills course is accredited with the Services Seta
  • The first cohort of 65 learners enrolled on CotlandsIgnite™
  • Cotlands head office team transformed into remote working permanently
  • Closure of playgroups in Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal
  • Launched three toy library trailers linked to mobile health clinics in Ixopo, Umfolozi and eDumbe in KwaZulu-Natal
  • Hosted the 15th International Toy Library Conference at IIE MSA South Africa
  • Closure of Olievenhoutbosch toy library depot
  • Developed procedures and processes for the projects unit
  • Set up a training unit focused on providing online training courses
  • Launched toy library trailers linked to mobile health clinics
  • Reviewed Cotlands’ constitution and board mandates
    • Online training era
  • Cotlands’ head office and Gauteng region moved to new premises
  • Launched four online PLAY courses, with partners UNICEF, LEGO and DBE
  • External evaluation using Early Learning Outcomes Measure to determine impact
  • Appointed as regional franchisee for SmartStart in North West
  • Expanded early learning playgroups to Barberton in Mpumalanga
  • Set up a toy library depot in Barberton in Mpumalanga
  • Initiated early learning playgroup pilot in partnership with Ilifa Labantwana & Department of Social Development in North West
  • Launched our first mobile toy library in Mpumalanga
  • Closure of residential baby units in Gauteng and Western Cape
  • Early learning playgroup model for new-borns to four-year-olds launched in May
  • Cotlands launched its first two mobile toy libraries in Gauteng and one in KZN
  • A toy library depot was launched in Lydenburg in Mpumalanga in 2014
  • Selected as a partner by Ilifa Labantwana to participate in think-tank
  • Cotlands initiated the first Southern Africa play conference
    • Non-centre based: Toy libraries and early learning playgroup era
  • Launched Turffontein toy library in collaboration with Save the Children UK
  • All regions adopted the integrated model
  • In December, Cotlands announced the transformation of the Aids Hospice into the Cotlands Child Care unit due to the drastic reduction in Aids-related deaths
  • ECD centre opened at the Macassar Haven community centre in Macassar in the Western Cape
  • Toy library depot established in Macassar in the Western Cape
  • Macassar Haven became a community centre
  • Opened Cotlands toy libraries in East London in the Eastern Cape and Soweto in Gauteng
  • Opened Tirelong ECD centre in Rustenburg in North West
  • Acquired property in Reeston in the Eastern Cape
  • The first toy library started in Hlabisa in KwaZulu-Natal
  • Opened the Cotlands community centre in Soweto in Gauteng
  • Cotlands celebrates 70 years
  • Opened Everest ECD centre near Boschfontein in Mpumalanga
  • Opened Cotlands House in Turffontein in Gauteng
  • Acquired Macassar Haven in Macassar in the Western Cape
  • Opened Cotlands’ nutrition project in East London in the Eastern Cape
  • Implemented antiretroviral treatment for HIV-positive children
  • Opened the second Cotlands hospice in Somerset West in the Western Cape
  • Launched Cotlands/Chris Hani Baragwanath HIV/Aids counselling project
  • Home-based care services for HIV babies were offered in Soweto in Gauteng and Hlabisa in KwaZulu-Natal
  • Initiated community outreach programmes
  • Formulated policy guidelines for children infected/affected by HIV/Aids
    • Paediatric HIV/Aids community care and hospice era
    Cotlands was the first organisation in South Africa to open a paediatric hospice providing end-stage care for children with Aids.
  • The Aids hospice at Cotlands opened – the first in South Africa
  • The Cotlands nursery school opened in Turffontein in Gauteng
  • Some residential children were diagnosed with HIV
  • The sanctuary in Turffontein in Gauteng was opened
  • The home moved to larger premises in Kenilworth.
  • Strict vetting procedures were instituted for prospective adoptive parents, due to a national shortage of babies
  • Public health department requested that Matron Reece make alterations to the home
  • Due to financial constraints, Matron Reece decided to close the home
  • After an appeal by the Sunday Times, Matron Reece raised £4000, and the home registered as a charitable institution
  • Established by Matron Dorothy Reece, a US missionary nursing sister, after finding an abandoned baby on her doorstep