Early Years Enterprise Challenge for Early Learners 3-5 years

Over the years, several teachers around the world have adapted our School Enterprise Challenge programme for very young learners. In South Africa, we have seen Scilla Edmonds, an experienced teacher and principal of The Birches, an Early Years School, adapt our programme for her learners with remarkable impact over 11 years. Year on year, we saw The Birches learners having fun and developing their skills and confidence as they completed the Challenge and ran a business. The Birches now runs multiple school businesses which bring additional income into the school.

The Early Years Enterprise Challenge 2023-24

Working with Scilla Edmonds we created the Early Years Enterprise Challenge, a simplified, shorter form of the School Enterprise Challenge programme incorporating environmental awareness-raising activities. 2023-24 we trialled the programme in South Africa with teachers from Early Childhood Development (ECD) in KZN, training and supporting them to plan and run a school business with their young learners. 19 school teams proudly showcased their businesses at a Market Place and Celebration event.

Very young learners showed us their amazing creativity, enthusiasm and confidence throughout the programme while their teachers also noted their growth in
- Language and numeracy development
- Knowledge of environmental protection, and
- Understanding of the value of money.
Importantly, they clearly loved learning in this way.

Early Years Enterprise Challenge 2025

In 2025, building on our experiences from 2023-4, we are again working closely with ECD teachers in 30 schools in KZN to introduce the Early Years Challenge. These trials are enabling us to develop a Model and systemised approach that can be offered to many more ECD teachers and schools and can be delivered at a cost that facilitates wide adoption.

" I see so many opportunities for the future. This programme will benefit children with learning barriers. It should be introduced to all preschools. Not every child will become an astronaut, this project gives learners opportunities to do something they love. They learn to build and sustain a business (doing something they love). I am so fired up I can hardly wait for the next years"

Teacher, Sunbeam Pre-Primary School

"This has been the most beneficial extra curricular activity that we have implemented in our school. It has empowered staff, learners, and their families to think out of the box when it comes to recycling and sustainable living. (For me) Every waste product I see now has a hidden value to it"

Head, Pretty Palms Pre-Primary School

“The children have been amazing, making .. and creating.... They’ve learned to greet customers, handle money, understand its value. We’ve been opened to a whole new world.”

Teacher, Sunbeam Education Center