The first five years shape a child’s health, learning and confidence. These links point to free and low-cost support that families and centres in Limpopo and North West can use, chosen to work on a basic phone and with little data.
For parents and caregivers
Pregnancy to age 17UNICEF South Africa: parenting resources
A single page of free, low-data parenting tools from UNICEF South Africa, including WhatsApp support, videos and booklets.
- Low data
- Videos
Pregnancy to age 2MomConnect
The Department of Health’s messaging service for pregnant women and new mothers: tips on antenatal care, nutrition, breastfeeding and immunisation. Send “join” on WhatsApp to 079 631 2456 or dial *134*550*2#. You will need your due date and a clinic code from your nurse.
- Free to dial
- Department of Health
Pregnancy to age 5Side-by-Side
A national campaign with short videos and booklets on nutrition, love, protection, health and extra care for young children. It is also on Facebook and as a WhatsApp channel.
- Videos
- Booklets
- WhatsApp channel
Ages 0 to 17ParentText
Friendly parenting tips on WhatsApp about stress, family budgeting, safety and positive relationships. Send “SUPPORT” to 083 283 8620 to start.
- Low data
Birth to age 5Wordworks app
Daily activities for talking, singing, playing and sharing books with young children, with short videos, rhymes and songs. Free to download and it works offline, so it uses no data. In English, isiXhosa, isiZulu and Afrikaans.
- Free
- Works offline
Ages 0 to 12Nal’ibali
Stories to read, listen to and watch, with printable activities and tips for parents. Stories come in all 11 languages, including Setswana, Sepedi, Xitsonga and Tshivenda.
- Free stories
- Audio
- Printables
For early childhood development centres
For centre ownersHow to register an ECD centre
Who must register, the norms and standards a centre must meet, and the documents to prepare. The application is free.
- Free to apply
- gov.za
Department of Basic EducationDaily subsidy for registered centres
Registered centres can access a subsidy of R24 per child per day and learning materials from the Department of Basic Education. The registration drive closed on 31 December 2025, so ask your Education office about current options.
- Subsidy
- Learning materials
Close to home
North WestNorth West: 40 model ECD centres
The North West Department of Education announced 40 “pocket centres of excellence” for children from birth to age 4: ten each in Bojanala, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema. Announced in July 2023.
- North West
- Four districts
LimpopoParent Playbox in Mokopane
A kit of weekly play activities for parents and caregivers, with a morning training session and group follow-ups, run at the Compass Academy of Learning in Mokopane. Ask the academy about places and cost.
- Limpopo
- Activity kit
About these links
These sites belong to other organisations and government departments. Dikuno does not run them, and details such as cost, subsidies and deadlines can change, so please check each site.
Registering a centre
Responsibility for early childhood development has moved to the provincial Education departments, so start with your provincial Department of Education. Our team can also point you in the right direction through the contact page.