ECD Practitioners Play a Critical Role in Getting Children Ready for School
South Africa is home to over five million children under the age of five, yet more than 1.4 million are missing out on the quality early learning foundation they need to succeed.
ECD practitioners are changing this every day while building meaningful careers and generating income through early learning centres.
Without a solid early learning foundation, many children enter school already behind, struggle to catch up with their peers and may never fully close that gap during their school years. But with your help, we can change this.
Whether you want to start your own programme, already run an ECD centre and need tools to strengthen your work, or want help with registration, SmartStart can connect you to practical training, curriculum resources, Bana Pele registration support and a network committed to giving children the strongest possible start in life.
Become a SmartStarter
Start and grow your own early learning centre with SmartStart’s proven model, training and support.
Become a SmartStarterRegister Your ECD Centre
Access a step-by-step guide to register your ECD centre through the Department of Basic Education’s Bana Pele drive.
Register Your ECDFree Resources and Training
Access SmartStart’s free curriculum materials, videos, stories, training opportunities and practical tools.
Training Resources
The First Five Years Shape a Lifetime
SmartStart works with ECD practitioners across South Africa to make quality early learning more accessible, while helping ECD owners build sustainable businesses that will serve children for years to come.
The early years are when children develop the foundations for learning, confidence, communication, numeracy, emotional wellbeing and future success.
Quality early learning helps children arrive at school ready to learn while creating opportunities for families and communities to thrive.
Supporting the People Who Support Children
SmartStart is on a mission to support access to more quality early learning by:
- Training ECD practitioners to improve quality early learning.
- Supporting community members to start their own ECD centres.
- Providing curriculum and programme resources.
- Supporting ECD centres to register with the Department of Basic Education.
- Connecting ECD practitioners to free ECD resources and training.
- Building local networks for peer learning and collaboration through clubs.
What Would You Like to Do Next?
Start an Early Learning Centre
Start and grow your own centre with SmartStart’s proven model, training and support.
Become a SmartStarterRegister Your ECD Centre
Follow a clear, step-by-step guide through the Bana Pele registration process.
Register Your ECDAccess Free Resources
Find curriculum materials, videos, stories, training and practical tools.
Training ResourcesFind More Support
Find organisations offering nutrition, building and funding support for ECD centres.
Supporting Organisations