At Grow ECD, partnerships are a big part of what makes our mission come to life. One of the partnerships we’re most excited about is with The Domino Foundation and their Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme. Together, we’re working to make a real difference in the lives of children, teachers, and ECD centre owners in KwaZulu Natal, helping them thrive with the right tools, training, and support.
Who is The Domino Foundation?
The Domino Foundation is all about creating positive, lasting change in KwaZulu Natal communities. Through their ECD Programme, they’re making sure that preschool and crèche owners get the skills they need to run successful, sustainable centres. And they’re not just focusing on the business side of things – they also ensure that children receive a high-protein meal every day through their Nutrition Programme, which supports both their physical and mental development.
By mixing business know-how, active learning routines, child milestone tracking, and training for teachers, The Domino Foundation is shaping up classrooms that are ready to nurture future champions.
How our partnership began
This exciting collaboration began with a shared passion for quality education.
At first, the partnership was a bit of an experiment (2023 was our trial year!). But as time went on, the connection between Grow ECD and The Domino Foundation grew stronger, and now, here we are in our third year of working together, with so much to show for it!
Shared goals and initiatives
The goals for this partnership are simple but powerful:
- Equip ECD centre owners with the skills to run successful, sustainable businesses.
- Improve the quality of education through the Grow Giraffe app and our training.
- Track daily attendance using Grow Apps to support the Domino Nutrition Programme.
- Turn ECD centre owners into social entrepreneurs, ready to lead lasting change.
Activities and impact
Our partnership is brought to life through quarterly workshops, training sessions, and app support that are tailored to the needs of The Domino Foundation’s participants. In 2024, we kicked off the year with some great initiatives:
- January: Training on using the Grow app’s daily themes and resources.
- April: Learner assessment training and a business workshop.
- October: Baby curriculum training and marketing support.
So far, the partnership has positively impacted:
- 51 centre owners
- 11 teachers
- 2,714 learners
Lessons learned and challenges overcome
No partnership is without its challenges! One of the early hurdles was getting ECD centre owners on board with the Grow Apps, as some saw them as extra work. With patience and consistent training, they soon realised that these tools make their work easier, not harder.
There are still a few bumps in the road, like connectivity issues and devices being lost, but we’re committed to overcoming these challenges together. Every challenge makes us stronger!
Why this partnership matters
This partnership is proof of what can be achieved when two organisations come together with a shared vision and the willingness to get creative. By combining The Domino Foundation’s incredible support with our tools, we’re transforming ECD centres into businesses that provide high-quality education and a strong foundation for children.
We’re particularly proud of how the focus on business sustainability has shifted mindsets. ECD centre owners are moving from relying on handouts to being driven by the desire for long-term growth and independence.
What’s next?
As we look ahead, our partnership with The Domino Foundation is only going to grow. In 2025, we’re planning to:
- Host four more quarterly training sessions focused on quality education and business sustainability.
- Bring more principals into the ECD Business Accelerator and Small Business Programme.
- Help transition platform centres into fully sustainable programme centres.
Join us in growing early childhood development
The partnership with The Domino Foundation is just one way we’re making a real impact on early childhood education.
If you’re as passionate as we are about building a better future for our children, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s team up to make 2025 a year of growth and transformation!
Get in touch today, and let’s start the journey together.