As South Africa marks Youth Month, much of the national conversation continues to focus on unemployment and the limited pathways available to young people entering the economy. The challenge is significant. According to Statistics South Africa, the unemployment rate for young people aged 15 to 34 rose to 45.8% in the first quarter of 2026. Year-on-year, the statistics consistently show that young women are less employed than young men. 

Early childhood development (ECD) is one of the most powerful and often overlooked responses to this inequality. Already one of the largest women-led entrepreneurship ecosystems in South Africa, the sector offers a pathway into both employment and business ownership. For decades, women across the country have been opening and growing ECD centres, often in underserved areas where quality childcare and employment opportunities are most needed. In doing so, they are supporting working families, strengthening local economies and helping lay the foundations for learning for our youngest citizens. 

And the need has never been greater. Government has committed to achieving universal access to quality early learning by 2030, which means reaching an additional 1.2 million children. The ECD sector currently employs approximately 200,000 practitioners, a figure that would need to more than double to meet that target. This will require expansion at an unprecedented pace and scale, creating opportunities for a new generation of young practitioners, entrepreneurs and community leaders to enter the sector. 

ECD is a career that has long been undervalued, often dismissed as informal care work rather than recognised as a viable professional pathway into work. But for young women with drive and compassion navigating a difficult labour market, ECD offers the opportunity to run their own businesses while doing work with lasting social impact.  

“I have a passion for working with children, helping them build confidence, discipline and a strong foundation for their future,” says Pheshu Anah Ngwenya, 34, who runs Funda Uzuze Early Learning in KwaZulu-Natal. “Seeing the positive impact an ECD centre can have on both children and the community motivated me to start the business.” 

Opening the door to opportunity 

One of the biggest misconceptions about ECD is that it is inaccessible to young people starting out. In reality, there are multiple entry points into the sector, and a Matric is not a prerequisite to begin. Young people can start building recognised credentials from as early as Grade 9, either through formal study at a technical college or through skills training programmes registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).  

Those still at school can begin even earlier. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) offers a formal ECD subject for learners in Grades 8 and 9 within the General Education and Training band, providing an early foundation in vocational skills related to early learning and care.  

For those who have already been caring for children informally, whether younger siblings, neighbours or community children, that experience can also count. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows practical experience to be formally assessed and credited towards a qualification, meaning the work many young women are already doing can become a genuine starting point for a professional career. 

Adjacent to direct ECD employment, the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative is creating exposure to the sector with 900 young people supporting the DBE’s Bana Pele Mass Registration Drive, helping centres navigate registration and compliance requirements. 

More than a job: building a business with real support 

Getting into the sector is one thing. Building something sustainable is another. Running an ECD centre requires managing finances, building trust with parents, growing enrolment, overseeing staff and creating safe, stimulating learning environments for children. Many practitioners operate informally and have limited access to training, infrastructure and financial guidance.  

Organisations like IMBE exist to close this gap. Through its Accelerator Programme, a structured 12-month journey, ECD owners gain access to practical workshops, individual coaching, infrastructure support and peer learning to help them strengthen their businesses.  

Since launching in 2021, the programme has supported almost 6,000 practitioners across Gauteng, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo, with plans to expand further in the coming years. 

The impact is measurable. According to IMBE’s Annual Business Diagnostics survey, which tracked the performance of over 1,000 ECD businesses on the Accelerator Programme, participants saw enrolment rise by 32% and fee income grow by 9% over three years. More than 90% say they would recommend the programme to others.

For Alzina Lindiwe Sibanyoni, 34, from Langelihle Day Care Centre in Mpumalanga, the journey required persistence. “One of the biggest challenges was the lack of funding when I started,” she explains. “Some parents were not able to pay school fees consistently or on time, which affected the growth of the business.”  

Over time, the guidance and support she received from IMBE helped her to grow trust in her centre. “I stayed committed, managed the little income carefully and built good relationships with parents and the community. Slowly the business became more stable.”   

A career with long-term impact 

ECD is not only about earning an income. It is about shaping the foundational years that influence how children learn, develop and participate in society for the rest of their lives. 

For Lebogang Motaung, 32, who owns Mathuloane Early Learning Centre in North West, that sense of purpose is what drives her. “Young people have the power to create change, inspire others and build a better future for their communities. Youth Month is a reminder that age should never limit someone from pursuing their goals and making a difference. It motivates me to use my voice, skills and passion to make a positive impact.”  

For young people, entering the sector comes with its own particular challenges. Without an established reputation, track record or credit history, accessing finance and building trust with parents can take longer. Many young practitioners start out earning well below the minimum wage, reinvesting whatever they can back into their centres while they grow. The path from informal centre to fully registered business, which unlocks access to government subsidies, also takes time and resources that young entrepreneurs don’t always have.  

However, momentum is building. National investment in ECD is increasing, registration systems are improving and a growing ecosystem of support is making it easier for young women to navigate these barriers and build sustainable businesses. 

Qaqamba Xaso, 32, who runs Unathi-Zola Educare Centre in the Eastern Cape, offers this advice for anyone standing at the threshold: “Start with passion and patience. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Use what you have and grow step by step. When you invest in children, you are investing in the future of the community.”  

As South Africa looks for sustainable pathways into employment and entrepreneurship, ECD deserves far greater recognition, not only as care work, but as nation-building work.