Children
on Adventure Bus outings
Grassroots Educare Trust
Putting
Young Children
First
Our programmes impact the lives of children and the adults that work with them, through playgroups, preschool support, teacher training and educational outings.
ECD centres
supported
Playgroups
across the Western Cape
Children
on outings every year
Years
putting children first
About Grassroots
A Strong Start.
A Strong Start.
A Brighter Future.
It all started with that first bus outing we organised, 50 years ago, when we rallied bus drivers, the Cape Town bus company and members of the community. A few hundred children from Gugulethu experienced their first fun day at the beach.
Since then, a million children have enjoyed our weekly Adventure Bus outing. Today, our programmes impact the lives of children and the adults that work with them.
Discover Our Story
Our Programmes
What We Do
Grassroots Playgroups
Our Playgroups fill a vital gap for children far from a formally established ECD centre, in informal settlements, farming areas and rural villages.
Learn more →ECD Centre Development
We work with over 2,000 preschool centres with the aim of getting them registered and eligible for state subsidisation.
Learn more →Teacher Training
We teach towards the National ECD Diploma and National ECD Certificate, supporting adults working with children to build a career in ECD.
Learn more →Site Learning Programme
A detailed daily programme registered by the Western Cape Education Department, developed through a participative process over several years.
Learn more →Governance Support
We train governing bodies to ensure preschools are well-run and compliant with funder and government management requirements.
Learn more →And More
ECD Assistants, Assessment for School Beginners, the Preschool Shop and the Adventure Bus support children and those who work with them.
View all →“Real Impact.
Real Impact.
Real Stories.
With the support of the Golden Arrow Bus company and its volunteer drivers, approximately 15,000 children are taken on educational outings every year. Our hero bus drivers tell us it’s a pleasure to go out with the children.
Explore our impact →
Our impact together
- Improved school readiness
- Stronger, more confident practitioners
- Safer, stimulating learning environments
- Empowered ECD communities
- Brighter futures for children
Get Involved
Be Part of the Change
Donate Once
Donate Monthly
Sponsor a Playgroup
Sponsor Teacher Training
Fund an Adventure Bus Trip
Corporate Partnerships
Volunteer
Donate Resources
Western CapeGovernment
FirstRandFoundation
DGMTThe DG Murray Trust
ELMAPhilanthropies
LEGOFoundation
TotisaniCommunity Development
Our Work
Programmes in Action
