The Current Situation
A significant number of children in South Africa miss out on early learning opportunities that develop their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical potential.
It is estimated that 1.1 million children aged 3-4 years are not in any early learning programme. Nearly 500 000 of these young children are from underserved communities across South Africa.
A further two million attend unregistered early learning programmes. Most of these unregistered programmes operate under the radar, run from private homes and other community premises, to meet demand. Unable to access subsidies required for advancement, these makeshift facilities remain trapped in a cycle of low quality and inadequate funding.
A significant number of children in South Africa miss out on early learning opportunities that develop their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical potential.
It is estimated that 1.1 million children aged 3-4 years are not in any early learning programme. Nearly 500 000 of these young children are from underserved communities across South Africa.
A further two million attend unregistered early learning programmes. Most of these unregistered programmes operate under the radar, run from private homes and other community premises, to meet demand. Unable to access subsidies required for advancement, these makeshift facilities remain trapped in a cycle of low quality and inadequate funding.
The Current Situation
A significant number of children in South Africa miss out on early learning opportunities that develop their cognitive, emotional, social, and physical potential.
It is estimated that 1.1 million children aged 3-4 years are not in any early learning programme. Nearly 500 000 of these young children are from underserved communities across South Africa.
A further two million attend unregistered early learning programmes. Most of these unregistered programmes operate under the radar, run from private homes and other community premises, to meet demand. Unable to access subsidies required for advancement, these makeshift facilities remain trapped in a cycle of low quality and inadequate funding.A significant number of children in South Africa currently miss out on evidence-based foundations for developing their full cognitive, emotional, social and physical potential.
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Smart Solution | Policy Hub
Main Barriers to Quality Early Learning
Financial
Seed and growth capital; revenue for costs and salaries
Infrastructure
Lack of suitable venues and no access to land to erect even basic structures
Training and skills
Inaccessible courses and lack of professional development pathways
Curriculum
Limited user-friendly curricula and programme materials
Regulatory
No formal registration or accreditation
Quality
Systems for ongoing support and quality assurance
Main Barriers for Parents
Knowledge and information
About the role and nature of quality early learning
Cost and affordability
For all households
Accessibility and choice
Local and suitable alternatives)
Building More Schools is Not The Only Solution
Relying on new purpose-built facilities is problematic because these divert limited funding to expensive infrastructure and slow the roll out of affordable, quality early learning programmes.
The Smart Solution:
Harnessing Our Wealth of Social Capital
Many unemployed and under-employed South Africans lack formal qualifications, and this is particularly true of women and young people. However, they do have the aptitude and caring instinct to be effective early learning practitioners.
SmartStart is committed to recruiting, training and helping to set up tens of thousands of practitioners with the skills and understanding to run affordable, quality early learning programmes from existing homes and community premises.
This has the potential to unlock access to quality early learning on a huge scale while creating direct employment. Our approach further supports economic development by providing childcare options for parents who would otherwise be unable to work.
Main Barriers to Quality Early Learning
Financial
Seed and growth capital; revenue for costs and salaries
Infrastructure
Lack of suitable venues and no access to land to erect even basic structures
Training and skills
Inaccessible courses and lack of professional development pathways
Curriculum
Limited user-friendly curricula and programme materials
Regulatory
No formal registration or accreditation
Quality
Systems for ongoing support and quality assurance
Main Barriers for Parents
Knowledge and information
About the role and nature of quality early learning
Cost and affordability
For all households
Accessibility and choice
Local and suitable alternatives
Building More Schools is Not The Only Solution
Relying on new purpose-built facilities is problematic because these divert the limited funding to expensive infrastructure and slow the pace of rolling out affordable, quality early learning programmes.
The Smart Solution:
Harnessing Our Wealth of Social Capital
There is a massive pool of untapped human resources within South Africa’s communities. While many of the unemployed and under-employed (particularly women and young people) may lack formal qualifications, they do possess the aptitude and caring instinct to be effective early learning practitioners.
SmartStart is committed to recruiting, training and helping to set up tens of thousands of practitioners with the skills and understanding to run affordable, quality early learning programmes from existing homes and community premises.
With the potential to unlock access to quality early learning on a huge scale while creating direct employment, the approach further supports economic development through the provision of childcare options for parents who would otherwise be unable to go to work.
Policy Hub
SmartStart works closely with public, private and community-based organisations to increase awareness around the value of early learning, especially amongst parents, and to advocate for policy reforms that will achieve access for all by 2023.
This is where you can find all the latest information from government and parliament, as well as news from the sector.
Click here for all the latest news and documents relating to the Children’s Amendment Bill.
Policy Hub
SmartStart works closely with public, private and community-based organisations to increase awareness around the value of early learning, especially amongst parents, and to advocate for policy reforms that will achieve access for all by 2023.
This is where you can find all the latest information from government and parliament, as well as news from the sector.
Click here for all the latest news and documents relating to the Children’s Amendment Bill.
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