Centre Snapshot
Centre name: Mamello ke Katlego Academy (MK Academy)
Owner / Principal: Tebogo Makgoke
Location: Vosloorus, Gauteng
Year established: 2023
Children enrolled: 47
Staff members: 6
Joined Grow ECD Small Business Programme: 2025
Mamello ke Katlego Academy was founded in 2023 by Tebogo Makgoke, a passionate and determined early childhood practitioner with a clear vision. She wanted to create a nurturing, loving and stimulating learning environment for young children in her community. “I also saw that many single mothers had no safe, reliable places to leave their children while they were looking for job opportunities. I realised that a preschool could help children and their families,” says Tebogo.
The centre started small, with just six learners. Like many early learning centres serving under‑resourced communities, MK Academy was built on care, commitment, and personal sacrifice. Over time, the centre grew steadily, but they kept facing many challenges. Today the centre serves 47 children, supported by a small team of dedicated staff members.
Challenges felt overwhelming, despite personal commitment
Before joining the Grow ECD Small Business Programme, MK Academy faced several common challenges experienced by early learning centres operating in under‑resourced areas. These challenges only made Tebogo more committed to finding solutions.
- Access to structured curriculum and educational resources was very limited, making consistent lesson planning difficult.
- Operational systems were informal, and compliance documentation needed strengthening, leaving the centre on the outskirts of funding opportunities and government support programmes.
- Teacher confidence was low, and classroom organisation was not as good as she wanted, leaving education lagging.
- Teachers worked for long hours and Tebogo could not afford to pay minimum wage, leaving staff demotivated and Tebogo at risk of Government penalties, which she simply could not afford.
- Like many centres, financial sustainability remained fragile, with low margins and limited capacity to invest in infrastructure improvements.
These challenges placed pressure on the centre’s ability to consistently deliver high‑quality early learning, despite Tebogo’s strong commitment and passion.
A partnership towards 5-Star early learning with Grow ECD
MK Academy joined the Grow ECD Small Business Programme in 2025 and gained access to structured curriculum resources, mentoring, and operational support.
The programme supports centres to strengthen both education quality and business sustainability. As part of the programme, MK Academy committed to key quality improvement practices, including:
- Using the Grow App to capture enrolment, attendance, income, and expenses
- Implementing the Grow play‑based curriculum in daily classroom practice
- Attending teacher and owner training sessions in-person
- Engaging with Grow mentors to strengthen teaching practice and centre management
- Working towards 5-star quality goals
With structured support from Grow ECD, the narrative started shifting, and Tebogo and hear team were on their way towards providing high-quality early learning for every child in their care.
Only 9 months in and we already see progress and impact
1. Governance and Operations
All required staff documents are now certified and stored correctly in a management file. Building plans have been submitted to the municipality and are awaiting approval, strengthening the centre’s compliance pathway.
2. Financial Sustainability
The principal is now earning a salary.
Fees were increased by R200 per month, which enabled increases in teacher salaries to achieve minimum wage.
The centre’s income can now cover operating expenses, with the potential to realise a small profit. The principal’s goal is to ensure that she can pay all her staff minimum wage, or slightly more, so that she can keep them motivated and comply with Labour Laws.
Next, she wants to start saving so that she has funds available for emergencies, repairs and maintenance at the centre.
3. Staffing and Capacity
Child protection clearances have been obtained for all staff members.
Three teachers have enrolled for NQF Level 5 ECD qualifications, strengthening professional capacity and long‑term quality at the centre, plus showing teachers a meaningful career path in early learning.
4. Infrastructure Improvements
A dining room has been converted into an additional classroom for 4–5‑year‑olds, reducing overcrowding.
Outdoor play has been enhanced through the addition of a swing and the erection of a shade net covering the play areas.
5. Classroom Environment and Learning Programme
With access to structured resources and mentoring support, classroom organisation has improved significantly. The centre is now using the Grow curriculum for children aged 2–5. Teachers and the principal attend regular training, and a formal planning file has been created to guide lesson preparation.
Voices from the Centre
Teacher
“I want to thank the principal for believing in us and for always making sure the school keeps getting better, even in ways we do not always see.
Since I started working here, I have seen big changes and it’s a blessing to be a park of M.K Academy. We learn a lot and keep growing. We are really happy to be a part of a team that’s moving forward.”
Centre Owner
“I just want to say how much I really appreciate everything Grow has done for our ECD centre. It is visible in our teachers, how passionate they are, how confident they have become and how they manage their classrooms. They know what to do, and Grow has given them the resources to make it happen. We are not struggling with materials or stressing over little things anymore, so the teachers can focus on helping the children learn and having more fun activities in class.
We have been able to expand, meet new people in the field and figure out the best ways to move forward.”
Parent
“Thank you for the beautiful graduation and awards ceremony. Every detail reflected the love and effort you pour into our children. My heartfelt thanks goes to every teacher, the cook and the cleaner, and the principal who makes it all possible.”
Looking Ahead: Priorities for the Next 6–12 Months
While progress has been strong, several priorities have been identified to continue strengthening the centre:
- Installing shelving in all classrooms
- Converting a room into a sick bay
- Purchasing a nappy changing station
- Replacing a garage door with a sliding door to improve lighting
- Installing a ceiling in one classroom and additional outdoor shade
Grow ECD will continue working alongside MK Academy to support progress in these areas and ensure improvements are sustained.
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Grow ECD is an early learning social enterprise. We equip ECD businesses and organisations with the skills, support and resources they need to provide 5-star early learning for every child.