| Register an ECD centre | Register an ECD centre | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20Connect%20Header%20Image.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClass97A5CD2C229842838425A5B10CCAC1D2"><p>If you would like to operate an Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility in Cape Town (also known as a partial care facility), you will need to be compliant with the City and register with the <a href="https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/" target="_blank">Western Cape Education Department<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>.<br></p></div> | <span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">About<br></h2></span>
<p>Registration is important for credibility, compliance, and access to support. Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres should be registered to ensure children receive quality care and education in a safe and nurturing environment. </p><p>Registration allows ECD centres to be monitored for safety and quality standards, access government funding, and provide better support for children's development. It also helps formalise the sector, ensuring that all children, especially those in low-income areas, have access to vital resources and opportunities. </p><h4>Registration with the relevant authorities ensures:</h4><ul><li>Compliance with national and local regulations. </li><li>Access to government support, grants, and training programmes. </li><li>Recognition of quality, which builds trust with parents. </li><li>Opportunities to join forums and network with other ECD centres.</li></ul><p>Before you can submit your registration documents to the provincial government departments, you need to seek compliance with the City. </p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info note"><br></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>You will need to submit separate applications to both the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government Education Department in order to be fully registered.<br></p></div></div><p>The City's
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/Community%2c%20Arts%20and%20Culture%20Development">Community, Arts and Culture Development Department (CACD)</a> will ensure that your ECD has the
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/departments-city-initiatives/Community-Arts-and-Culture-Development/ecd-centre-registration-compliance">correct compliance</a> approvals through our Modernisation Tool.<br></p><h4> The City’s Modernisation Tool aims to: </h4><ul><li>Support ECD compliance </li><li>Assist non-complying ECD centres in becoming compliant </li><li>Act against ongoing non-compliance </li><li>Improve the turnaround time in the processing of ECD applications<br></li></ul>
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<i class="info toptip"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Top tip</h4><p>You only need to visit a CACD area office once to submit all the relevant documents. We will forward your application to the various City departments responsible for ECD centre compliance matters and keep you informed on the progress of your application via SMS and email.</p></div></div></span><span>
<h2 class="sectHeading">Apply for compliance with the City<br></h2></span>
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Step 1:
Visit a CACD area office</h4><p>Visit your nearest CACD area office with all the necessary supporting documents.</p>
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<div class="mobile-scroll"><table style="width:497px;"><thead><tr><th style="width:158px;">Area<br></th><th style="width:252px;">Address<br></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td style="width:158px;height:115px;">
<strong>Region 1: North</strong><br></td><td style="width:252px;height:115px;">
<em>First Floor, Bloemhof Building</em><br><em>112 Edward Street</em><br><em>Bellville </em></td></tr><tr><td style="width:158px;">
<strong>Region 2: East</strong><br></td><td style="width:252px;">
<em>Ground Floor </em>
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<em>94 Van Riebeeck Street</em><br><em>Omniforum Building </em>
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<em>Kuils River </em></td></tr><tr><td style="width:158px;">
<strong>Region3: Central</strong><br></td><td style="width:252px;">
<em>Unit 201, Block 2</em><br><em>De Tijger Office Park</em><br><em>Hannes Louw Drive</em><br><em>Parow</em></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="1" style="width:158px;">
<strong>Region 4: South</strong><br></td><td rowspan="1" style="width:252px;"><em>Third Floor, </em><em>200 Main Road</em><br><em>Claremont</em><br></td></tr></tbody></table></div></span>
<p>If necessary, you can email
<a href="mailto:CACD.ECD@capetown.gov.za">CACD.ECD@capetown.gov.za</a> beforehand to confirm the registration requirements.</p>
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<b>Supporting documents:</b></p><ul><li>NPO Certificate </li><li>Constitution of registered NPO </li><li>The ECD Principal’s qualifications, skills and experience<br></li><li>A certified copy of the principal’s Identity Document<br></li><li>Recommendation Letter </li><li>Lease Agreement/Facility Management Agreement (FMA) – If operating in a City-owned facility </li><li>ECD operator’s information sheet<br></li></ul></div></div></span>
<p>A City official will take you through a checklist and advise if another consultation is required. Your application will be uploaded with all of the requested documents onto our SAP system.</p><h4> Step 2: Submission to development management</h4><p>Once all the documentation is in order, your application will workflow to Development Management. If approval of building plans and assessment of land use applications is required for submission, the department wil assist with these processes too. <br></p>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Development Charges<br></h4><p>ECDs that meet the criteria may be exempt from paying the development costs associated with land use and development applications. <br></p></div></div></span>
<h4> Step 3: Fire and safety assessment</h4><p>Your application will then workflow to Fire and Rescue Services to assess the ECD facility for compliance with the National Building Regulations. If the facility meets the requirements, Fire and Rescue Services will issue a fire safety clearance. This ensures that your fire escape plan is correct, the firefighting equipment is suitable, and the fire exits are unobstructed and available when the premises is occupied.</p><h4> Step 4: Health compliance assessment </h4><p>Environmental Health is the final department that the application flows to and is responsible for assessing ECD centres for compliance with health requirements and issuing of health clearance certificates.</p><h4> Step 5: Notification of outcome </h4><p>You will be contacted pending the outcome of your submission via SMS and email. </p><p>Download
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/Register_an_ECD_Checklist.pdf" target="_blank">the checklist </a>to make sure you meet all the requirements.<br></p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">Register with provincial government<br></h2></span>
<p>Once you have completed your registration with the City, you will then need to
<a href="https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/early-childhood-development-ecd-registration-partial-care-facilities" target="_blank"> register your ECD centre with the Western Cape Education Department<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>. </p><h4>Step 1: Approach the Social Service Organisation (SSO):</h4><ul><li>New applicants must contact the relevant SSO for guidance in terms of registration requirements and processes. </li><li>SSOs shall provide the potential applicant with guidance, support and a registration package consisting of:
<br>- Application form (Form 11)
<br>- Information on chapter 5 of the Children's Act, 38/2005
<br>- National Minimum Norms and Standards for partial care facilities
<br>- Form 29 and Form 30
<br>- Process map </li><li>SSO records all applicants on a data base reflecting the identifying particulars, address of the person and/or facility, current status and date of enquiry. </li></ul><h4>Step 2: Approach the local authority or municipality </h4><p>The following documents must be obtained from the respective local municipal offices by the applicants:</p><ul><li>Approved building plan </li><li>Zoning certificate </li><li>Fire and safety certificate </li><li>Environmental Health clearance certificate </li><li>Food Premises Certificate. </li><li>Health and Wellness License (in case of centres accommodating children with special needs) from the Department of Health and Wellness. </li></ul><h4>Step 3: Submission of application</h4><p>Form 11 (application form) must be completed, signed and dated when all required documents are received. Applicants must submit completed applications to the SSO in the respective areas for assessment thereof.</p><h4>Step 4: Site visits and inspections</h4><ul><li>After receipt of the application, the SSO (social service professional) conducts a site visit at the partial care facility. </li><li>The SSO will complete a professional report with a recommendation based on the documented application and observations during the onsite visit. </li></ul><h4>
Step 5: Consideration of application</h4><p>In terms of Children 's Act 38 of 2005 s.82, the Head of Department must within six months of receiving the application consider an application for registration/renewal or rejects the application.</p><p>Download
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/ECD-registration-checklist.pdf" target="_blank">the checklist </a>to make sure you meet all the requirements.</p><p>Visit the
<a href="https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/early-childhood-development-ecd-registration-partial-care-facilities" target="_blank">Western Cape Government website<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> to obtain the relevant forms.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us</h2><p>For general enquiries or to confirm the registration requirements:<br></p><p>
<em>Email: </em><br><em><a href="mailto:CACD.ECD@capetown.gov.za">CACD.ECD@capetown.gov.za</a></em><br></p><h4>City Call Centre<br></h4><p>
<em>Telephone:<br><a>0860 103 089</a></em></p> | | GP0|#fab8d403-cdfb-42c8-981b-600f7c827158;L0|#0fab8d403-cdfb-42c8-981b-600f7c827158|Social organisations;GTSet|#a7cfb90d-44ad-4426-98ce-565f79932396;GPP|#0e53d0b3-0c5c-4a15-8cac-35c5e305afa3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | To operate a creche or childcare facility in Cape Town, you will need to first register with the City. | 0 |
