The Department of Basic Education has launched a new registration drive for ECD programmes.  This means that government will support registration of ECD programmes by using a simpler and user-friendly online registration system.

The government wants every young child in South Africa to have access to a quality ECD programme, and every programme to provide three things: Quality learning and development opportunities; a safe and nurturing environment and good nutrition; Registration is the first step in making this possible.

The goals of the Bana Pele ECD registration drive are therefore to pull every ECD programme into the regulatory net, and to support ECD programmes in all communities to comply with legal requirements, by recognising the different contexts in which they operate.

The new registration process will be implemented in a phased approach to ensure complete testing of the new enabling tools in the pilot sites in Gauteng. The pilot will guide the final roll-out which will be delivered in partnership with Provinces and the ECD sector.