City’s third ECD Indaba helps operators navigate path to compliance
30 May 2026
Hundreds of Early Childhood Development operators, key government representatives, education stakeholders and City departments gathered earlier today, 30 May, for the third ECD Indaba at the Cape Town Civic Centre. The event, hosted by the City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department within the Community Services and Health Directorate and the Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate, aimed to assist ECD operators to become fully compliant with all requirements and legislation.
The event, themed ‘Pathways to compliance’, focused on the importance of child safety, updates on ECD programmes, available funding and resources and support programmes that promote safer and sustainable environments.
Some of the speakers at the event included the DG Murray Trust, which highlighted programmes that promote a safe and sustainable environment through infrastructure support, practitioner development, and access to resources. The Western Cape Education Department gave an update on ECD programmes and compliance requirements. Jelly Beanz Hope focused on child safety, emotional wellbeing and support needed for children.
Throughout the year, the Community, Arts and Culture Development Department hosts compliance drives and roadshows in communities to engage the ECD sector on their journey to compliance.
In April, the City hosted five roadshows which reached more than 300 ECDs, with a primary focus on the process for applying for Development Cost (DC) Charge exemptions. Officials from other departments also attended to provide guidance on land use and building approvals, as well as fire, safety, health and environmental standard requirements to support ECD compliance.
The City recognises that ECD centres vary significantly in size and need, from small home-based facilities to centres serving more than 200 children, requiring tailored support pathways.
In addition to compliance support, the City has continued to reduce barriers to formalisation through its Development Cost Charges exemption programme. Over the last two financial years, more than R1,46 million in exemptions has been approved for seven ECD centres across communities including Mitchells Plain, Atlantis, Noordhoek, Strandfontein and Manenberg, helping operators move closer to compliance and support.
The department has also developed a training manual for ECD practitioners for enhancing Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres. It comprises four pillars, which are essential for building strong foundations and ensuring effective operations. These pillars are Structure, Ethics and Environment, Execution and, Development and Sustainability.
‘It is fitting that a component of today’s programme was dedicated to the protection and emotional wellbeing of children as Child Protection Week commenced yesterday. This year’s theme is “Working together in ending violence against children” and we recognise the crucial role ECDs play in this fight. They are often on the frontline of protecting our children and also the first responders to notice when something is amiss.
‘That is why the City is committed to supporting safe and compliant ECD environments, while providing awareness, training and resources to these centres. ECDs play a critical role in the early foundation of a child’s life during formative years, helping to set the tone for future academic success, shaping cognitive abilities, emotional health and social behaviour.
They cannot do it alone and it requires action from all of us to protect our most vulnerable and youngest citizens. This starts with equipping and assisting our ECDs on their pathway to compliance to ensure a safe space of learning for children across the City,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham..
‘The pathway to compliance must be clear, practical, and enabling. This is why the City is pursuing reforms to make the land use application process easier to navigate for ECD operators caring for 34 or more children, while still protecting the safety and wellbeing of children. This work is supported by the Local Planning Support Office, which provides guidance to operators in understanding planning requirements so as to move towards lawful, safe, and sustainable ECD facilities,’ said Alderman Eddie Andrews, the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment.
For more information on how ECDs can access the support available from City, visit the City's website.
Caption 1: ECD operators from across the city attended the Indaba.
Caption 2: Councillor Francine Higham addresses operators.
Caption 3: Alderman Andrews explained how the City assists operators.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
