A Journey Worth Sharing

SmartStart is a national early learning delivery platform built to increase access to quality early learning programmes in South Africa.

Our Inspiring Journey

Designing &
Testing

2015

Launched a co-developed model for establishing and supporting quality early learning programmes.

Proving
Impact

2018

Completed our first evaluation, which showed strong outcomes for children.

Building
Partnerships

2022

Partnered with government to shape national early learning policy and delivery.

Scaling &
Solving

2025

Expanding our reach through innovation and new partnership models.




Our Vision

Every child in South Africa has access to quality early learning programmes.



Our Mission

To ensure all children have the right foundations in place to succeed, while creating employment and social enterprise opportunities, and stimulating economic activity in our most under-resourced communities.



Our Strategic Objectives

Close the early learning Opportunity gap

Close the early learning Supply gap

Close the early learning Funding gap



Our Impact

Use the map to view our impact in each province

SmartStart is South Africa’s first and largest early learning delivery platform. Under our model, implementing partners and branches train and support franchisees to deliver the same evidence-based early learning programme for 3-5 year-olds. The programme is supported by operational tools and play materials, a network of ‘Clubs’, and licensing and quality assurance processes implemented by a national team of Coaches.

National Figures

12 971
Franchisees Active

21 992
Franchisees To Date

125 565
Children Enrolled

155 000
Children Graduated

291 123
Children Reached




Our Board

Grace Matlhape

Carley Furness Symms

Director of Programs: The ELMA Philanthropies Services (Africa)

Grace Matlhape

David Harrison

Chief Executive Officer: DG Murray Trust

Grace Matlhape

Siven Maslamoney

Executive Lead - Youth Livelihoods & ECD: Yellowwoods Ventures Investments




Our Chiefs

Grace Matlhape

Grace Matlhape

Chief Executive Officer

Grace Matlhape

Kuben Pillay

Chief Financial Officer

Grace Matlhape

Jon Hodgson

Chief Innovation & Learning Officer

Grace Matlhape

Lazola Makhupula

Chief Platform & Programme Officer




Meet Our Committed Partners And Franchisors

We believe in the power of collaboration, bringing together passionate individuals to make a difference.



We ensure that children have access to quality early learning opportunities and continuously improve the quality of Early Childhood Development services in the communities.



Penreach works across five of South Africa’s provinces, drawing on local knowledge and expertise to provide access to quality education in the most disadvantaged communities.



We are a vibrant private nursery school founded on Christian Values and Principles. We are located in MONDEOR, South of Johannesburg. We provide a unique and inspiring learning environment for children aged 3 months to 6 years.



Lima promotes dignified, sustainable and transformative community growth. As an implementation agent for rural development and social responsibility initiatives; Lima has partnered with a number of organizations, government and corporates across South Africa.



The Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU) is a non-profit organisation headquartered in Lansdowne, Cape Town, South Africa. We operate within the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector and are dedicated to enhancing the well-being of young children in deprived communities by offering exceptional ECD programmes.



At Siyakholwa, our unwavering focus and deep-rooted passion centres on the upliftment of marginalised and disadvantaged communities in South Africa. While each of our programmes has its unique vision, they are united by a shared corporate mission and a steadfast commitment to a common set of values.



TREE is a non-profit organisation, specialising in promoting holistic Early Childhood Development, through professional training, key programmes and developmental resources and structures.



The Knysna Education Trust is an NPO based in the Garden Route, South Africa. KET has passionately serviced the Early Childhood Development needs of children aged 0-6 years since 1993. Our overarching aim is to give all children in Knysna and Bitou access to high-quality ECD programmes for school readiness.



Khululeka is a non-profit organisation that specialises in resources and training in Early Childhood Development, situated in Queenstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.



The organisation was established in 1998 and registered as a NGO/NPO in 2001. 3L is an accredited training provider at LG SETA (LGRS – 778 110516). The organisation focuses on socio-economic empowerment, early childhood development and skills development in children.



The organisation, founded in 2002 pursues programmes and projects that address the practical needs of young people in modern democracies such as employment, access to social services, waste management & climate change.



PPT specialises in developmental projects and initiatives for disadvantaged communities and special needs groups and works closely with communities, government, donors and civil society organisations in achieving its mission.




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