Founder’s Message

From the moment I stepped into the field of early childhood development in 2013, my heart found its calling. I began my journey as an educational specialist and facilitator, training ECD practitioners across South Africa. But my passion for nurturing young minds started long before that — in 2010, as a student at the University of Cape Town, I developed a personal framework I called PETE: People, Education, Technology, and Entrepreneurship. This model has guided every step of my journey since.

I’ve always believed that the challenges we face in adulthood — whether emotional, intellectual, or social — can be traced back to the foundations laid in our earliest years. That’s why early childhood development isn’t just a career for me — it’s a mission.

NEST Early Learning Center is my heartfelt gift to the children of Chris Hani Ext 2. A safe space. A springboard for imagination. A nest where little wings take flight.

But we’re not only nurturing children — we’re nurturing educators, caregivers, and community leaders too.

As part of our broader mission, NEST is also a training hub for Early Childhood Development practitioners and those looking to build meaningful careers in education. We proudly offer accredited qualifications and short courses that empower individuals with skills, confidence, and nationally recognized credentials:

• Occupational Certificate: Early Childhood Development Practitioner
  (SAQA Qualification 97542)

• National Certificate: Occupationally Directed Education Training and Development Practices
  (SAQA Qualification 50334)

• Short Courses:

  • Assessor Course (Unit Standard 115753)

  • Moderator Course (Unit Standard 115759)

  • Facilitator Course (Unit Standard 117871)

  • And more practitioner-focused micro-courses

Through this dual approach — nurturing children and upskilling educators — we aim to build an empowered community from the ground up.

We believe that if we invest in children and those who guide them, we can change the world — one child, one caregiver, one educator at a time.

Warmly,
Sandile Shabangu
Founder, NEST Early Learning Center