This quarter, our focus has been on practical action, system support, and the powerful connections that emerge when we keep children at the center of everything we do.
ECD at the Centre of the Bana Pele Drive
We are proud to support the government’s Bana Pele (“Children First”) initiative. This coordinated outreach program delivers essential healthcare, nutrition, and early learning support to South Africa’s most vulnerable children.
TREE’s role is to guide ECD centres through a three-step compliance journey to ensure they become safe, legally recognized learning spaces:
- Bronze: Basic recognition and system entry.
- Silver: Partial compliance with limited support access.
- Gold: Full registration, unlocking full government subsidies.
To date, we have supported 60 ECD centres across KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. We are especially proud that three of our Eastern Cape TREE Hubs have already reached Silver Status.
Supporting Healing Through Play
TREE was honored to be selected for a FirstRand Group initiative supporting five Thuthuzela Care Centres—safe homes for children who have experienced trauma.
We provided therapeutic learning materials from our own TREE Toy Shop, designed specifically for comfort and recovery. To ensure these tools have a lasting impact, our team provided on-site training to caregivers on how to integrate play into daily healing routines.
Celebrating 25 Years of Takalani Sesame
We were thrilled to celebrate 25 years of Takalani Sesame’s impact on South African early learning. Mama Ruby and Mama Teressa attended as esteemed guests, highlighting our long-standing collaboration with Sesame Workshop to explore how play supports emotional wellbeing and school readiness.
“It is through play that children explore the world and find their place in it.”
Meal a Day: Join the Movement
Nutrition is the foundation of learning. In South Africa, 1 in 4 children under five suffer from stunting due to chronic undernutrition.
Our Meal a Day programme, supported by partners like Alex Forbes, the Manav Seva Foundation, and Kinderfonds MAMAS, ensures children in our centres receive warm, nutritious food.
- Help Us Grow: For just R100 a week, you can feed a child and support their development. Pledge your support today!
Professionalizing the Sector: The QCTO Shift
South Africa is transitioning to a new national qualification structure under the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
- What it means: The new QCTO NQF Level 4 Occupational Certificate is designed to strengthen the professional standing of ECD practitioners.
- Existing qualifications: If you hold an ETDP SETA Level 4 certificate, it remains valid and recognized.
- New Path: The QCTO certificate is the new route for practitioners looking to upskill with workplace-based learning.
Register Now: We are currently enrolling for our 12-month Accredited Occupational Certificate (SAQA ID 97542).
Mandela Day Winter Drive 2025
“67 Minutes of Kindness = A Whole Winter of Warmth”
Help us spread love this Mandela Day! We are collecting new or gently used items for children (Birth to 7 years):
- Needed: Warm clothes, shoes, blankets, beanies, socks, toys, and books.
- Drop-off: 69 Krishna Road, Durban (until 16 July 2025).
Walking the Walk: Staff Wellbeing
In May, TREE staff participated in the ECR Big Walk. This event is part of our commitment to mental health awareness. Since 2022, our senior management has also practiced “Tools Down Fridays” once a quarter—a time to share a meal, reflect, and reconnect. We believe that when our team is well, our work for the children is stronger.
