For too long, the South African government has neglected young children, with severe consequences:
- One in four children is stunted.
- 81% of Grade 4 learners cannot read and understand what they read.
- Of the children who do access an ECD programme, more than half fail to thrive by age five.
South Africa is now at a critical juncture when it comes to ECD. In April 2022 – as part of the increasing political will to prioritise ECD – the ECD function shifted from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education, heralding a major review of key laws, policies and practices. This came not a moment too soon: the complicated and overly burdensome regulatory framework is a huge barrier to the realisation of children’s rights to ECD. Inappropriate and unrealistic registration requirements prevent ECD practitioners in disadvantaged communities from registering and unlocking government funding and support.
Equally important is the growing pressure to increase the ECD budget and create an equitable funding model for ECD. Chronic underfunding, combined with a deeply flawed regulatory framework, is a major contributor to poor early childhood outcomes.
The EELC has been at the forefront of these developments, using our expertise in regulatory reform, budget analysis, and child consultation to help secure an ECD system that is fit for purpose and fulfils the rights of all young children: including children with disabilities and children living in remote and township communities.
