SAEP’s partner ECD centres were all established over the past 15 years by dedicated women within the community who were concerned about the need for quality child care and pre-school education. With limited resources they often began caring for children in their own homes, improving their capabilities to accommodate the increased demand for their services when possible. All of the principals struggled in similar ways - lack of funds, difficulty collecting fees from parents, inability to pay additional teachers, inadequate buildings and facilities, and questions about their own capabilities and skill sets. The group began meeting informally at first, to discuss problems they faced in their educare centres and to share knowledge and ideas for improving the services they offered. The Forum soon began to meet bi-monthly and grew from a small support group to a powerful tool for collective achievement. In 2003, Mama Bolisi introduced the Forum to Jane Keen at which point they requested assistance, and thus began SAEP's relationship with the educare centres. 

Since its inception, the Forum has worked together to improve their individual educare centres as well as advocating for improved service delivery in the ECD sector. Most principals and staff have been trained in First Aid, NPO management, HIV/AIDS education, fundraising and finance management and continue to develop their knowledge of early childhood development. In 2005, with the support of SAEP, Qhamani Educare Centre principal, Nokhaya Manxiwa-Nqeza, spoke before a South African Parliamentary Committee on the importance of early childhood education and the bureaucratic negligence that was chronically denying access to services to children in the townships. She also appeared on national television news detailing the difficulties the educare centres in her community face, which subsequently resulted in the hastening of their registration and subsidisation. In addition, Mrs. Manxiwa-Nqeza was selected as a finalist “South African Woman of Worth” in 2004 when SAEP nominated her as an outstanding woman in her community.  

In 2008, SAEP furthered their efforts in taking on new underdeveloped educare centres in Philippi. To streamline communication and maximize resources and knowledge, SAEP suggested that the new centres be admitted into the long-standing Safety Unity Crèche Forum. The inclusion of the new centres encountered some initial growing pains, but resulted in a dynamic and enthusiastic group of women who are eager to grow, develop and “brighten.” By collectively harnessing this energy and embracing the spirit of teamwork, they work towards the same overarching goal. 

In October 2009, the Forum held their Annual General Meeting and elected the following members to hold executive committee positions and guide the Forum's actions through the year: 

• Nobuntu Mkhencele (Chairperson)
• Zukiswa Jafta (Vice Chairperson)
• Constance Ndzelwane (Secretary)
• Margaret Makhafola (Vice Secretary)
• Nomahobe Manyela (Treasurer)   
  

Also in 2008, a group of post-graduate students from the University of Cape Town were asked to evaluate the five year relationship between SAEP and the Safety Unity Crèche Forum, in light of their recent growth in members and evolving dynamics. This evaluation of interpersonal relationships was a critical practice in order to assess the future of the Forum and their evolving relationship with SAEP. For more information regarding the review of the Forum's growth, please take a look at the research report.