Running an ECD facility in a vulnerable community is a daily challenge, and every bit of support makes a difference. Through targeted programmes, KET provides additional resources that ease financial pressure and help centres stay sustainable. From extra funding to specialist support, our aim is to ensure these preschools can keep their doors open—and that no child is left behind. Access to remedial support means children who start behind get the help they need to catch up and thrive.
Centres in our most vulnerable communities are in a tough position. Parents can hardly afford fees, so centres must rely on government subsidies to stay afloat. But they cannot access those subsidies until they have registered at a certain level — and registration is a rigorous, costly process.
The Adopt a Centre for Excellence Programme bridges this gap. Sponsor donations of R270 per month add up — supplementing teachers’ salaries, buying resources for the children, and funding the improvements needed to reach the next registration level and access government subsidy.
Many families live below the breadline, and the meals children receive at preschool are often their only meal of the day. With assistance from donors, KET currently funds bi-weekly food vouchers so that ECD facilities can feed the children a highly nutritious cooked lunch and two snacks a day. Cooks follow a menu designed by a nutritionist to ensure the best results at the lowest possible cost.
This feeding scheme ensures that children receive the nutrition necessary to support their healthy physical and intellectual development, as well as emotional wellbeing. It also alleviates a significant financial burden from the preschool, allowing principals to redirect their limited resources toward other operational needs—contributing to the long-term sustainability of the facility.
Since the inception of the programme, more than 1 million meals have been provided to vulnerable children
In partnership with The Learning Initiative, the Blocks for Growth programme targets developmental delays in children aged 4–5, ensuring they are ready to thrive in Grade R. Many children enter preschool too late and miss key developmental milestones, putting them at a disadvantage when they begin formal schooling.
Blocks for Growth provides intensive therapeutic support for children at risk. Occupational therapists lead small therapy groups twice a week at ECD centres, helping accelerate holistic development in areas such as motor skills, perception, and emotional readiness.
Crucially, the programme also empowers teachers and parents through training and mentorship, equipping them to better support each child’s growth both in the classroom and at home.