eCares Online Registration System
Stage 1 Apply for Conditional Registration (Bronze Certificate)
Introduction: The DBE’s online registration system, known as eCares, is divided into three stages:
Preparing to Register: To ensure a smooth registration process, please follow these steps:
Device Requirements: Registration can be completed on a computer, laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone.
Review MRD Information: Thoroughly read the MRD information documents that are linked at the bottom of this page. The DBE online registration link is included in the information sheet (or you can click on the picture at the top of this page to get there)
Contact the eCares Registration Bot: Open WhatsApp and send a “Hi” or “Hello” message to the bot’s telephone. Follow the prompts for further instructions.
Required Documents: Ensure you have the following documents saved on the device you will use for registration:
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- Certified copies of the ID/passport for every staff member, yourself, and Board members (if your ELP is an NPO).
- A completed Form 30 for all the individuals listed above (Form 29 is not required).
- These documents should be saved as separate files, named appropriately to identify the individual (e.g., “ID Jane Doe,” “Form30 Jane Doe”).
- Facility Photograph: A photograph of your facility with children present may be uploaded (it’s optional), but their faces must not be visible. Applications have been rejected because of this!
Lists of Information that will be required in Stage 1:
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- Highest ECD qualification per staff member.
- Staff email addresses and mobile numbers.
- Children’s information, categorized into the following age groups:
- Birth to 18 months
- 18 months to 3 years
- 3 to 4 years
- 4 to 5 years
- 5 to 6 years
- For each age group, gather details on:
- Number of males and females
- Males and females receiving the Child Support Grant
- Males and females with special needs
- Number of staff per age group
- Total number of children per age group
- There are links at the bottom of this page to useful Excel tables that you can use to gather the information.
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Health and Safety:
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- Review the Health Norms and Standards. It is worth noting that you can apply for Bronze (Stage 1) without these things being fully implemented, but, on the registration app, you need to commit to fully implementing them before you receive your site inspection in Stage 2 when you’re going for Silver.
- Familiarize yourself with the Health and Safety questionnaire. Don’t fill it in on paper because it will be completed online during the registration process.
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Proceeding with Registration: Once all preparations are complete, you can proceed with the registration by going to the DBE’s registration portal. Once in the portal you can follow the instructions and register now.
Final Note: Our department in the DBE is in developmental-mode and they are committed to making the registration process supportive and achievable for everyone. Everything is going to be fine… gather the necessary documentation, and proceed confidently.
Links to Documentation:
- Form 30
- Health Norms and Standards
- Health and Safety Questionnaire
- Excel Tables for collecting:
Stage 2 Comply for Conditional Registration (Silver Certificate)
and
Stage 3 Complete for Full Registration (Gold Certificate)
Having achieved your Bronze Certificate you can now apply for Silver and, possibly, Gold. Now that you are familiar with the eCares system, you will find the Silver/Gold application easy and user-friendly.
Download and thoroughly read the Silver Registration Manual
The manual strongly encourages you to prepare for the Silver/Gold application and Tools for School has come through for you.
Download and use this free, useful, detailed, step-by-step checklist to ensure that your application will be efficient and successful.
Now you can Joyfully go ahead and login to eCares to Comply (with) and Complete the registration of your ELP with the DBE!