The City of Cape Town hosted its second Early Childhood Development (ECD) Indaba at the Civic Centre on Saturday, Nov 08, 2025 by bringing together over 300 ECD operators and key government representatives.
The Indaba allowed for direct communication between the operators and relevant City departments and education stakeholders for them to better understand the steps involved in becoming fully compliant and operating safely.
2025 Indaba was observed under the theme ‘Pathways to Compliance’. The City of Cape Town, through its Spatial Planning and Environment (SPE) Directorate and the Community Services and Health Directorates in collaboration with the National Department of Basic Education provided a collaborative platform where ECD operators could gain a better understanding of the practical steps involved in becoming fully compliant from land use and building approvals to meet fire safety, health and environmental standards.
Deputy Mayor and Member of the Mayoral Committee for Spatial Planning and Environment – Alderman Eddie Andrews said that the 2025 Indaba showcased what real partnership looks like.
The event brought together every part of the compliance chain from planning and health to education, that they have given to ECD operators for the clarity and confidence that they need to move forward.
Their major focus is at the City of Cape Town to be an enabling regulator, which helps these centres meet the standards that keep children safe, while strengthening the foundation for better learning outcomes in the years ahead.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that since the first Indaba, they have listened closely to practitioners about the challenges they face.
Higham stated that their feedback has directly shaped the progress from simplifying property processes and improving access to information, to take hands-on support into communities across the city. Their goal is clear to make compliance a supportive pathway, and not a barrier.
When ECD operators are empowered to meet safety standards, children are protected, families are supported, and they strengthen the learning foundations of a City of Hope.