Early Care Foundation

18/08/2026

In case you missed it: Watch the full SADC First Ladies’ Luncheon, where leaders from across the region came together to place Early Childhood Development at the heart of Africa’s future.

ECF CEO Ipeleng Mohlala was honoured to be part of this important gathering, hosted by Her Excellency Dr Tshepo Motsepe.

Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/XLu4cUyBF98

46th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government First Ladies'...

17/08/2026

A meaningful moment for Early Childhood Development across our region.

ECF CEO Ipeleng Mohlala was honoured to join Her Excellency Dr Tshepo Motsepe and fellow leaders at the SADC First Ladies’ Luncheon in Durban.

The gathering reaffirmed a shared belief at the heart of our work: investing in young children is an investment in Africa’s future. We are proud to contribute to the partnerships helping every child access the strong foundation they deserve.

13/08/2026

To understand where ECF is going, we must first understand where we come from.
Watch the full ECF documentary to discover the people, purpose and journey shaping our vision for the future.

Watch the full documentary: https://bit.ly/4fUadLH

09/08/2026

Behind every strong ECD centre is a network of women making the work possible.
Women who care for and teach children. Women who support families. Women who conduct research, unlock funding, mobilise donors and advocate for better policies and stronger systems.

The ECD sector is largely powered by women, many of whom have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of other women and children.
This Women’s Day, we honour every practitioner, social worker, researcher, fund manager, donor, advocate and leader who continues to show up for the sector.
Your work is shaping childhoods, strengthening communities and building the future of our country.
Happy Women’s Day.

13/07/2026

Under the tagline “Building Foundations for the Future,” the ECD Leadership Conference 2026 focused on strengthening the future of Early Childhood Development through shared learning, dialogue and collaboration.
Key themes included:

✅Leadership: Inclusive and resilient leadership in ECD centres and communities.
✅Sustainability: Financially viable, eco-conscious and community-rooted ECD models.
✅Quality Education: Strengthening learning environments and developmental outcomes for young children.
✅Sector Collaboration: Bringing together principals, site heads, government, partners and stakeholders to co-create practical solutions for the ECD sector.



Development Bank of Southern Africa Haleon

09/07/2026

The day ended off with an energiser led by Tshepo Mantje, setting the tone for an empowering conversation on Advocacy in ECD.

The session titled Real Reform for ECD: Empowering Forums Through Advocacy, challenged delegates to see themselves not just as ECD practitioners, but as **community leaders** and advocates for children.

Key takeaways:
✨ Advocacy starts with recognising the leader you already are.
✨ Speak confidently on behalf of children and your community.
✨ Collective action through ECD forums strengthens the sector's voice.
✨ Stand firm in your values: meaningful change takes persistence.

Every ECD leader has the power to influence systems, shape communities and advocate for every child's right to a quality start in life.

09/07/2026

As part of the day's programme, delegates joined Breakaway Session Room Two, facilitated by Dr Janeli Kotze (DBE), to explore how stronger ECD forums can drive sustainable systems, improve government coordination and strengthen advocacy across the sector.

Key takeaways:
✨ Strong ECD forums create a stronger voice for the sector.
✨ Collaboration between government, forums and communities is essential for sustainable change.
✨ Effective leadership is built on coordination, communication and shared purpose.
✨ Advocacy is most powerful when practitioners work together towards common goals.

By strengthening forum leadership, we strengthen the systems that support quality early childhood development for every child.

08/07/2026

There was simply too much insight to fit into one day.

From leadership and infrastructure to child development and advocacy, every session left us with practical ideas worth sharing.

Let's revisit some of the conversations that deserve a second look.

01/07/2026

As part of the day's programme, delegates took part in two interactive breakaway sessions designed to unpack key challenges and opportunities facing the ECD sector.

Breakaway Session 1: Quality Early Learning Beyond Compliance – Moving from Compliance to Quality ECD Delivery, facilitated by Nomsa Muthaphuli from OMT, challenged ECD leaders to look beyond meeting minimum standards and focus on what truly matters: creating environments where children can learn, grow and thrive.

Key takeaways included:
✨ Compliance is the foundation, not the destination.
✨ Every interaction with a child is an opportunity for learning.
✨ Quality ECD is shaped by intentional teaching, responsive caregiving and meaningful play.
✨ Strong partnerships with families and communities are essential to children's development.
✨ The question isn't only "Are we compliant?" but "Are we helping every child thrive?"

Because quality early learning goes far beyond paperwork—it's built in the everyday moments that shape a child's future.

01/07/2026

Unpacking Revised Environmental Health Guidelines | The session unpacked the revised 2025 National Health Norms and Standards, developed to better reflect the realities of ECD centres while keeping children's safety at the heart of every requirement.