Cotlands is a registered non-profit and public benefit organisation that has been in operation since
1936.
We work across South Africa, empowering and mentoring adults to deliver impactful, quality
play-based early learning programmes that transform communities. This is accomplished through Early Childhood Care and Education Hubs that integrate centre-based learning, a learning and teaching support materials library (also known as a toy library), an accredited training facility, and a Birth – 3 parenting playgroup programme into one community- driven model of excellence.
The Cotlands Parenting Programme is a comprehensive early childhood development (ECD)
intervention designed to support optimal growth, learning and caregiving practices from birth
through 36 months. It equips parents and caregivers with practical, developmentally aligned
activities that strengthen bonding, promote health and safety, and build foundational early
learning skills through everyday routines and play.
While Cotlands has recently developed its Birth–3 parenting programme, it has extensive
experience in supporting families with young children through the successful implementation of
Birth–2 playgroups over a number of years. In addition, the organisation has facilitated both the
Department of Social Development (DSD) Parenting Programme and the NECDA Parenting
Programme, providing a strong foundation in parent support, caregiver engagement, and early
childhood development practice. These experiences have enabled the organisation to build trusted
relationships with families and develop practical insight into the needs of caregivers and young
children within the communities it serves. The newly developed Birth–3 programme builds on this
existing experience and learning, while also incorporating updated approaches and strengthened
content informed by current best practice in early childhood development and parenting support