One Step Learning Opportunities Centre

One Step Learning Opportunities Centre (OSL) is a Canadian nonprofit organization incorporated in Alberta, Canada. It is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency under the business registration number 771608478RR0001. OSL operates as a charity, focusing primarily on providing early childhood education to impoverished communities, particularly in rural Ghana.

Purpose and Activities

The primary purpose of OSL is to advance education through the establishment and operation of learning centers, using a "Learning Through Play" model. This method emphasizes play-based activities to enhance early childhood learning for children aged 1 to 6 years. The organization also undertakes various ancillary activities to support its charitable mission.

Operations in Ghana

In October 2021, OSL initiated a play-based daycare program in Entumbil, Ghana, a rural community with limited access to childcare. Initially starting with 11 children, the program has significantly expanded to serve 80 children daily, surpassing the founders' expectations of catering to 32 children during the implementation phase. Entumbil is an impoverished farming community where a significant portion of the population, particularly girls and women, face challenges of illiteracy and unemployment. There was no formal childcare service available prior to OSL's intervention.

Certification and Recognition

OSL's daycare facility in Ghana is certified as a Category "A" daycare by the Ghana Department of Social Welfare, which is the highest grading. Additionally, it is registered in Ghana as a Community-Based Organization (CBO), operating in the Central Region, specifically within the Ajumako+Enyan+Essiam District.

Affordability and Accessibility

To ensure that its services are accessible to the community, OSL implements an affordable pricing structure. Parents are required to pay a one-time registration fee and a daily attendance fee, significantly lower than typical costs to enhance accessibility for local families.

Accountability and Transparency

OSL is committed to maintaining high standards of accountability and transparency. It is monitored and accountable to multiple institutions to ensure compliance with its charitable objectives and operational integrity.

Impact

Through its innovative and community-driven approach, One Step Learning Opportunities Centre has made significant strides in providing quality early childhood education in disadvantaged regions. By empowering children and supporting local economic conditions, OSL contributes to broader social and educational development efforts in these communities.