At Grow ECD, we believe that collaboration is the key to unlocking better early learning opportunities for children. That’s why we’re excited to be working alongside the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and other incredible partners to help ECD centres across South Africa get registered.
Joining forces for a greater impact
Big things are happening in the early learning space! One of the biggest priorities right now is the Bana Pele ECD Mass Registration Drive , which helps unregistered preschools and crèches start the process of registration. Registration is crucial to ensure Government oversight and awareness of all facilities that offer early learning. Plus, the journey towards full registration means more ECD centres can access subsidies and there is joint efforts to ensure South Africa offer quality early education in safe, well-supported environments.
How we’re helping
Grow ECD has officially joined the National ECD Intersectoral Forum (ISF), a space where government and NGOs work together to improve early childhood development across the country. As part of this, we’ve stepped up to support the Mass Registration Drive, helping ECD centre owners navigate the process with confidence.
- In Gauteng, we kicked things off in September 2024 by hosting a free registration clinic, guiding 60 ECD centres through their first stage of applications. We also advertise the Bana Pele guidelines, resources, processes and support numbers widely across our networks and channels.
- In Cape Town, we’re rolling out three more registration clinics in January 2025 to help even more centres on their journey to compliance.
- Going forward, we’re committed to supporting ECD centres across all our regional hubs with information-sharing, training, registration clinics and practical guidance to make registration and compliance easier and accessible.
Why this matters
For many ECD centres, registration feels overwhelming – there’s paperwork, requirements, and a lot of uncertainty. But we’ve seen first-hand how having the right support makes all the difference. When an ECD centre is registered, it opens up funding opportunities, ensures safer learning spaces, and connects ECD centres to more support structures.
By working alongside the DBE and other NGOs partners, we’re helping to simplify this process so more ECD centres can keep doing what they do best – nurturing and educating young children.
Want to partner with us?
We know that big change happens when people come together. If your organisation is passionate about early learning, small businesses and women empowerment and wants to collaborate, we’d love to chat!
Get in touch and let’s make a difference – one ECD centre at a time!