City goes back to school to revamp early childhood development centres

30 September 2025

The City’s Community Services and Health Directorate, Community, Arts and Culture Development Department (CACD) upgraded five early childhood development (ECD) centres operating from City owned properties during the past financial year to the tune of more than R2 million collectively. More upgrades are planned  for this financial year.

The ECDs that underwent upgrades are Leonsdale, Nantes, Avonwood, Hazendal and Smurf Bubbles in Bellville and included a range of repairs, security fencing and painting.
 
‘Early childhood development is a cornerstone of lifelong learning and growth. Children who attend these facilities not only go into the foundation phase with stronger language and numeracy skills; they are more confident and able to adapt to formal schooling. It is important that we give our children opportunities to learn and develop, and in safe environments. Early childhood education helps them learn, make friends and develop independence,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
 
Three more City facilities where there are ECDs, will be upgraded this year at a cost of just more than R2,3 million collectively. These are the Little Lillies ECD in Manenberg, Siyazama ECD in Hout Bay and the Understanding Hope and Care ECD in Khayelitsha.  

‘By investing in these centres, we can impact our children’s school readiness, as well as their future academic achievement and success. These centres not only keep young children active and give them an educational head start, but they also learn social skills and grow emotionally, ensuring holistic investment in their well-being,’ added Councillor Higham.
 
In August, the City hosted an ECD Indaba to share updates on changes to the Municipal Planning By-Law that will aid ECD compliance, as well as information on how the City is supporting service providers to make it easier for them to operate and meet registration requirements. The Community Arts and Culture Development department (CACD) works to provide a seamless registration experience for ECD operators, especially those trying to formalise or register for the first time.

CACD offers the following services to ECDs:

1. Supports the registration process with the Western Cape Department of Education, including help with documentation and coordinating through the City’s ECD modernisation tool
2. Delivers training to ECD staff, operators and caregivers
3. Engages external partners, NGOs, and Support Service Organisations, and
4. Facilitates lease agreements, and other property-related matters with ECDs operating from City-owned sites.

‘In this financial year, the Community Services and Health Directorate will invest almost R4 million into supporting and enabling ECDs across all our departments. Our focus in on creating more enabling environment for ECDs,’ added Councillor Higham.

Upcoming ECD compliance drives will take place at

• Blackheath Hall on 7 October 2025 and at
• Beautiful Gate, 73 Stock Rd, Philippi on 14 October

Following a visit to upgraded ECDs, Portfolio Chairperson, Councillor Ronel Viljoen noted that: ‘It is clear that the Community, Services and Health Directorate’s services aim is to give the little ones in our community the best possible start in life.’

ECDs can request more information on support available from their local CACD regional offices, or email cacd.ecd@capetown.gov.za 

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office