Cape Town: The Community, Arts and Culture Development Department of the City of Cape Town hosted hundreds of young children for a celebration through play at the Rooikrans Sports Complex in Grassy Park to commemorate World Children’s Day.
Two hundred children represented seven Early Childhood Development Centres operating from City-owned facilities joined in on various activities aimed to inspire learning and creativity.
The event was a collaboration between the Community, Arts and Culture Development Department (CACD) and other City departments. From structured play sessions to expressing understanding of their rights and responsibilities through art, storytelling and environmental awareness, the children had great time to enjoy and learn while exercising their right to play and have fun.
Reportedly, Early Childhood Development (ECD) lays the groundwork for a lifetime of achievement. The first five years is of particular importance on how children develop, learn, stay healthy, and interact socially.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that the City provides support to ECDs, particularly those working towards registration with the Western Cape Government.
Higham added that this is important not only to ensure safety and quality standards, but it also enables centres to access government funding, putting them in a position to provide the best environment for children to grow and learn.
According to her, the City’s assistance through information sessions to ECDs is so important, from preparing documentation for registration, strengthening personal leadership, to equipping centres with practical tools to operate safely.
Notably, the CACD Department helps ECD centres in growing and improving, through:
- Facilitating the establishment and strengthening of ECD forums
- Providing training and capacity building for ECD practitioners
- Assisting with compliance and registration awareness
- Processing application for exemption of developmental charges
During the second quarter of year 2025, CACD teams recorded 22 Early Childhood Development-focused engagements across the City of Cape Town by reaching over 500 practitioners in providing assistance with communication and compliance support.