Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Yet, many children in South Africa begin their educational journey without access to quality Early Childhood Development (ECD), limiting their opportunities before they even enter formal schooling.

Research consistently shows that the first six years of a child’s life are the most critical for cognitive, emotional, physical and social development, making investment in quality ECD one of the most effective ways to build stronger communities and create lasting social change.

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Recognising this huge need for access to quality Early Childhood Development (ECD), well-known hospitality and gaming group Peermont Hotels, Casinos and Resorts has made the decision to incorporate ECD into its corporate social investment strategy.

This decision has resulted in the Peermont Children’s Trust (PCT), one of the CSI initiatives supported by Peermont’s flagship property, Emperors Palace, committing R5-million over three years to ECD.

This commitment has already started, with the PCT upgrading and supporting five ECD centres in Thembisa, which will include the development of 20 practitioners from these centres.

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In addition, the Trust will assist a further 25 ECD practitioners from Ekurhuleni in obtaining an accredited NQF Level 6 Diploma in Grade R Teaching, which will kick off this month (August).

Partnering with the PCT in these initiatives is Afrika Tikkun Foundation, which has been transforming the lives of vulnerable children, youth and families across South Africa through its holistic Cradle to Career 360° model for over 30 years.

Recognising that learning begins long before a child enters primary school, the Foundation established the Afrika Tikkun Bambanani (ATB) Programme, its dedicated Early Childhood Development division.

The Bambanani Programme delivers innovative, evidence-based ECD solutions that strengthen teaching quality, improve learning outcomes and support ECD centres through curriculum, teacher development, educational technology, leadership training, mentorship and classroom resources.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to investing in young children by providing practitioners with world-class resources and creating stimulating learning environments that will positively shape children’s futures.

At the heart of the programme is the award-winning Bambanani Curriculum, internationally certified by Education Alliance Finland and recognised globally as one of the world’s most innovative educational solutions.

Aligned with South Africa’s National Curriculum Framework, the curriculum promotes play-based learning while developing children’s literacy, numeracy, language, cognitive, physical, creative, social and emotional skills, ensuring they are equipped with a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

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To ensure the successful implementation of the programme, all principals and ECD practitioners from the five selected ECD centres – Thembelihle Day Care, Helping Hands Day Care, Enjabulweni Creche & Preschool, Mercyful Angels Day Care and Nyeleti Day Care – participated in an intensive five-day training programme recently, equipping them with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to effectively implement the internationally certified Bambanani Curriculum.

As part of the training, every practitioner received a comprehensive set of curriculum materials, including teacher manuals, weekly lesson plans, learner assessment and portfolio files, learner workbooks, educational posters and planning tools to support high-quality teaching and learning in their classrooms.
The principals also received a comprehensive educational package to support the successful implementation of the programme at a recent handover.

Every centre is now equipped with a fully stocked educational resource kit containing puzzles, educational games, creative art materials, classroom stationery and a wide range of play-based learning resources designed to inspire curiosity, creativity and problem-solving.

The handover also included LEGO, first aid kits, learning clocks, weighing scales and measuring tapes, enabling practitioners to create engaging classroom experiences while monitoring children’s health, growth and development throughout the year.

These resources will support the early identification of developmental delays or growth concerns, allowing children to receive the intervention and support they need as early as possible.

This partnership represents far more than the distribution of educational resources; it is an investment in children, practitioners, families and the future of the Tembisa community.

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By combining the Peermont Children’s Trust’s commitment to community development with the Afrika Tikkun Bambanani Programme, this project is laying the foundation for stronger ECD centres, empowered practitioners and children who are equipped with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Together, the two organisations are helping to build a brighter future, one child at a time.