Running a preschool is about more than just caring for children — it’s a full-time business, often run by passionate women who face daily challenges in management, finance, and teaching. Now, a national training programme is offering Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre owners in Gqeberha the opportunity to upskill and transform their preschools into sustainable, thriving businesses.
Grow ECD, a non-profit social enterprise within the Taking Care of Business (TCB) group, is offering its Accelerator programme — an intensive six-part training course that equips ECD owners and principals with the tools they need to succeed.
The next round of training will run every Friday from 9 May to 13 June 2025, from 09:00 to 15:00, at Grow ECD’s offices in Gqeberha, as well as in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg.
The Accelerator course covers everything from financial management and personal leadership to early learning quality, compliance, and tech-savvy tools. It’s designed for ECD centre owners who want to run sustainable, high-quality education businesses that serve their communities effectively.
What’s included in the training:
- Leadership and business mindset for ECD
- Smart financial planning and money management
- Running a preschool as a sustainable business
- Delivering quality early childhood education
- Navigating registration with the Department of Education
- Using technology to simplify admin
- Accessing funding and support for growth
Eligibility criteria:
- An NQF4 ECD qualification
- A preschool with 25+ learners or space for at least 30
- School fees set at R350/month or more
- Access to an Android phone or tablet
- Ability to attend all six sessions in person (own transport and lunch required)
The cost to attend is R600, although the course is valued at over R2200. Spaces are limited, and applicants will go through a selection process to ensure the training is the right fit.
“This course isn’t just about skills,” says the Grow ECD team. “It’s about shifting from surviving to thriving — and giving every child access to the best start in life.”
Applications are now open via GrowECD.org.za.
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