What are the opening hours?

Monday 08:30 - 16:30 Tuesday 08:30 - 16:30 Wednesday 08:30 - 16:30 Thursday 08:30 - 16:30 Friday 08:30 - 15:30

Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU)

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South Africa
Cape Town
Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU)

ELRU specialises in early childhood development (ECD) for vulnerable children, from conception to age 6. ELRU offers three flagship ECD Programmes: 1.

Programmes include home visits, Playgroups & Whole Centre Development, supporting pregnant women, primary caregivers, ECD practitioners & Principals. The Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU) works in under-resourced urban and rural communities to address the immediate needs of young children ages 0–6 and ensure that every child has access to quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) opportunities.

ELRU provides support, formal training, mentoring and coaching to pregnant women, primary caregivers, ECD practitioners and Principals while our Programmes facilitate access to services that are essential for early childhood development: nutrition, stimulation for early learning, maternal and child health, referrals to social services, and support for the primary caregiver. By strengthening the position of adults that surround the child through each age and developmental stage, young children are supported with a comprehensive foundation from conception, and enabled to thrive on their journey towards formal schooling in Grade R. Home visiting Programme (First 1000 days/conception to age 2)2. Playgroups Programme (ages 3–5)3. Whole Centre Development Programme (ages 0–6)ELRU's head office is in Lansdowne, Cape Town and we have ECD projects in the Western Cape and Northern Cape Provinces of South Africa.Bank details:Cape Educational Trust t/a Early Learning Resource UnitStandard BankBusiness Cheque Account: 072896604Swift code: SBZAZAJJ (international donors)If you have made a donation and would like a Section 18A tax receipt, please send an email to [email protected] or call 021-762 7500

26/08/2026

ELRU is excited to launch its first-ever online quiz competition! The competition is open to all ECD Centres and Playgroups in the Cape Metropole.
Over four weeks, starting on Monday, 31 August, we will publish four questions per week about ECD registration. All you have to do is answer one question per day. At the end of each week, the names of those who answered all the questions correctly will go into a lucky draw, with the winner announced each Friday.
What’s up for grabs?
Thanks to Iziko Museums, the winner of each week will receive free entry and transport to the SA Museum in Cape Town for themselves and a group of learners (Ts & Cs apply).
Each week will be a new opportunity to enter, with the winner announced every Friday. Iziko Museums of South Africa

25/08/2026

Playdates Are More Than Just Play—They're Opportunities to Grow!
A playdate is more than a chance for children to have fun. It's an opportunity to build friendships, learn new skills, and grow in confidence.
When children play together, they learn how to:
🤝 Share and take turns.
💬 Communicate their thoughts and feelings.
❤️ Show kindness, empathy, and respect for others.
🧩 Solve problems and work together.
🌈 Explore their creativity through imaginative play.
As caregivers, you can make playdates even more meaningful by creating a safe, welcoming space, encouraging inclusive play, and joining in when invited. Remember, children learn best when they feel supported and connected.
Whether it's at the park, at home, or in your community, every playdate is a chance to help your child develop socially, emotionally, and cognitively.
Because when children play together, they grow together. 💛

20/08/2026

📚 You Are Your Child's First Teacher
Long before a child enters a classroom, they are already learning from you.
Every conversation, every bedtime story, every song, every hug, and every moment of play teaches your child something about the world. These everyday interactions help build their language, confidence, curiosity, and love for learning.
You don't need to have all the answers or be a qualified teacher. The simple things you do each day make the biggest difference:
💬 Talk to your child often.
📖 Read together every day.
🎵 Sing songs and tell stories.
🎲 Learn through play.
❤️ Encourage their curiosity and celebrate their efforts.
The lessons children learn at home become the foundation for success at school and in life.
Your time, your love, and your encouragement are the greatest gifts you can give your child—because every great learner starts with a caring teacher at home.

13/08/2026

💛 What Does Responsive Caregiving Really Look Like?
Responsive caregiving is about being present, paying attention, and responding with love. It's the small, everyday moments that help your child feel safe, secure, and ready to learn.
These simple interactions do more than strengthen your bond—they help build your child's brain, support healthy emotional development, and lay the foundation for lifelong learning.
Every smile, every conversation, and every moment of play matters. ❤️

05/08/2026

Children learn through exploration, creativity and interaction—not through the price tag of a toy. Everyday household objects can spark incredible learning opportunities when paired with a caring adult. ✨

03/08/2026

To close Mandela Month, we gathered for a joyful ELRU Playdate at our head office on Friday, 31 July. Six dedicated practitioners and 46 children from two centres in our Centre Support training programme came together for a morning filled with play, laughter and learning. Playdates are a chance to celebrate Learning Through Play and to open up new worlds of discovery with toys children from under-resourced centres don’t usually have access to. Thank you to our practitioners for creating such meaningful moments of growth and connection.

31/07/2026

Responsive parenting is powerful parenting. 💛
When we listen, respond, and engage with our children, we build trust, strengthen bonds, and support their development every step of the way.

Be present. Be responsive. Build a strong foundation for your child’s future.

24/07/2026

Children don't need perfection. They need connection. Small moments of playful interaction throughout the day can have a big impact on development.

17/07/2026

Thanks to the Fuchs Foundation and Frederick Fish Trust, ELRU is training 60 early childhood development practitioners from Gugulethu on the National Curriculum Framework during Mandela Month.

14/07/2026

Childhood isn't a race—it's a time to explore, discover, imagine, and play. 🌱

Every game played, every story imagined, and every friendship formed helps children build the skills they'll carry for life.

Because some of the most important learning happens when children are simply being children. 💛

Address

19 Flamingo Crescent
Cape Town
7780

Opening Hours

Monday	08:30 - 16:30
Tuesday	08:30 - 16:30
Wednesday	08:30 - 16:30
Thursday	08:30 - 16:30
Friday	08:30 - 15:30

Website

http://www.elru.co.za/

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