
Our Purpose
Our Vision
5-Star early learning in every neighbourhood that unlocks human potential
Our Mission
We equip and connect ECD businesses with the skills, support and resources they need to provide 5-Star early learning for every child
Our Promise
Grow ECD's holistic model makes running a sustainable 5-Star ECD centre a possibility for all
Our Values
Accountability
Sustainability
Partnership
Inspiration
Response-ability
Excellence
One teacher can grow a generation of learners!
Here's how we empower women to run excellent educare centres
Free Mobile App
Android app for owners, teachers and parents. Get access to free tools, resources and online training to run a professional preschool, save time on admin and engage parents.
Online Curriculum Subscription
Save hours of planning with our easy-to-use online lesson plans. It’s NCF-aligned, multimedia-rich and data-free. Inspire your teachers and ensure your preschool learners are ready for big school.
ECD Business Accelerator Training
Sign up for this 6-part training for ECD Centre owners and get the skills, tools and resources you need to run your preschool like a business. Learn about leadership, money management, steps to getting registered and so much more.
ECD Small Business Programme
Join this 3-year support programme to improve your business sustainability and education quality. Includes curriculum, classroom kit, training, education mentoring, business mentoring and low-cost finance.
We believe

- Every child deserves 5-Star quality early education if we want to break the cycle of inequality
- Quality education can only be sustained if ECD centre owners and teachers are paid fairly and centres are financially sustainable
- ECD is a thriving small business sector that needs to be invested in
- If we invest in women who have a heart for children and a head for business it will improve the quality and sustainability of the sector
- Technology is a game changer and a catalyst for change when integrated into an ecosystem for human development
BBBEE and tax benefits
We can offer companies significant points on their Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment scorecard thanks to our focus on growing small, black-women-owned business and empowering the unemployed through skills development. Our programme directly supports the advance empowerment of black people through Socio-Economic Development (SED). Individuals also benefit from tax relief when they make financial donations.
- SED (Socio-Economic Development) points
- Section 18A tax certificates
- 100% black beneficiaries
- 100% female beneficiaries
Awards
2013 Pan African Award for Entrepreneurship in Education
2013 Ashoka Changemakers Award
2015 Western Cape Business Woman of the Year Award for Social Entrepreneurship
2016 Schwab Social Entrepreneur of the Year
2017 Western Cape Premier’s Entrepreneurship Recognition Award
2018 Ashoka Fellowship
2021 The Clothing Bank Group (which includes Grow ECD Centres) is listed as one of the Top 100 Corporate Ready Social Enterprises globally in the Acumen report.
2022 World of difference Award
Over 10 years of growing ECD
In 2014 the story of Grow ECD officially began. That’s over a decade of growing, learning, and making an impact alongside incredible preschool owners, teachers, parents, ECD sector partners, collaborators and supporters. View our timeline and see our full story full of fun stats, milestones, heart-warming stories, and, of course, lots of pictures!
Company details:
GW Foundation NPC
NPO number 161-786NPO
PBO number 930048936