Explaining rights through play on World Children’s Day
20 November 2025
The City’s Community, Arts and Culture Development Department hosted hundreds of young children for a celebration through play at the Rooikrans Sports Complex in Grassy Park to commemorate World Children’s Day.
Two hundred children representing seven Early Childhood Development Centres operating from City-owned facilities joined in on various activities aimed to inspire learning and creativity.
The event was a collaboration between the Community, Arts and Culture Development Department (CACD) and other City departments.
From structured play sessions to expressing understanding of their rights and responsibilities through art, storytelling and environmental awareness, the children had time to enjoy and learn while exercising their right to play and have fun.
Early childhood development lays the groundwork for a lifetime of achievement.
The first five years is of particular importance on how children develop, learn, stay healthy, and interact socially.
‘The City provides support to ECDs, particularly those working towards registration with the Western Cape Government, This is important not only to ensure safety and quality standards, but it also enables centres to access government funding, putting them in a position to provide the best environment for children to grow and learn. The City’s assistance through information sessions to ECDs is so important – from preparing documentation for registration, strengthening personal leadership, to equipping centres with practical tools to operate safely,’ said Councillor Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health.
The CACD Department helps ECD centres grow and improve through:
- Facilitating the establishment and strengthening of ECD forums
- Providing training and capacity building for ECD practitioners
- Assisting with compliance and registration awareness
- Processing application for exemption of developmental charges
During the second quarter of this year, CACD teams recorded 22 Early Childhood Development–focused engagements across the City, reaching over 500 practitioners in providing assistance with communication and compliance support.
To access Early Childhood Development services, visit the City's website or send an email to: cacd.ecd@capetown.gov.za
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
