Early childhood development

Building tomorrow's leaders through Early Childhood Development

First-of-its-kind experiential principal and teacher training in Cape Town's townships

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial, shaping their learning, behaviour, and health. Yet across Cape Town’s townships, thousands lack access to nurturing learning environments during this critical development phase.

This is where Ikamva Labantu’s early childhood development (ECD) programme makes a transformative difference. Through our unique experiential training approach, we empower township preschools to become centres of excellence where school readiness is supported and young minds can truly flourish.

“More than two-thirds of South African students lack basic skills. The education performance gap between rich and poor children demonstrates stark inequality, leaving the poor behind.”

Our impact

A multi-pronged approach

We go beyond theoretical training by providing hands-on ECD training in an experiential daycare centre. This experience gives carers the skills to create engaging, safe, consistent, and nurturing learning environments for the children who need it most.

21,700 township children benefit through Ikamva Labantu programmes annually

Training & development

90 principals and teachers

Graduate from our training each year

55 practitioners and 32 principals

Graduated in 2023

Significant improvement shown

Between pre-and post-training assessments

Registration support

380 preschools supported

Towards achieving government registration

55 preschools

Registered successfully In 2023

80 vulnerable children

Attend our model preschool annually

Our programme components

Comprehensive experiential training

In partnership with the Department of Social Development, we provide:

  • One-year ECD training programme
  • Hands-on learning through classroom observation, practice teaching sessions and curriculum planning workshops
  • Practical skills for principals and practitioners through direct experience, mentoring and collaborative learning

Model preschool excellence

Our model preschool, Kwakhanya in Khayelitsha, demonstrates best practices in early learning. Here, children aged 0-5 receive nurturing care while practitioners observe and learn effective teaching methods.

“Kwakhanya Educare has helped us so much. I didn’t pay for the creche and transport for Liqhawe for 5 years. The food was also provided for them. I am so grateful and thankful for what they did for us who didn’t have means for our children’s early learning”
— Nomthandazo Caroline Ngqeza, grandmother

Registration support helpdesk

Our dedicated registration helpdesk guides principals through every step of achieving government compliance. It gives township preschools the credentials to qualify for early learning government subsidies, which they often sorely need to run their daycares effectively and impactfully.

We provide:

  • Ongoing mentoring throughout the registration process
  • Infrastructure assessment and recommendations
  • Assistance accessing vital government subsidies
  • Document preparation and submission support
  • Health and safety requirements guidance

Small Business Training for sustainability

Building sustainable preschools through business skills development.

  • Developing effective business and marketing plans
  • Creating sound financial management systems
  • Implementing proper budgeting practices
  • Generating additional income streams
  • Ensuring long-term centre sustainability

Empowering carers, putting young children first

Adapting, improving, enhancing

“I'd lost hope. Ikamva Labantu brought that hope back.”

Once this foundation has been laid, our predominantly women trainees return to their daycares, often greatly lacking in resources, and use their new skills and knowledge to adapt, improve, and enhance their teaching.

Transform a child’s life today

Thank you for supporting the work we do.
Your support can help create lasting change.
Together, we can ensure every child in our township communities has access to quality early learning, setting them up for lifelong success.