Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
SmartStart is an early learning social franchise, with a network of trained and licensed practitioners who implement the same evidence-based programme to children, ages three to five, to improve their readiness for learning, school performance and overall life success. We recognise the importance of the first five years in a child’s life and the huge gaps in provision, and provide an affordable solution to rapidly expand access to quality early learning in communities.
Early Childhood Development (ECD) refers to the physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social development that a child experiences between birth and compulsory school-going age.
Early Childhood Development plays a key role in determining whether a child will reach her or his full potential. Events that occur during the early years of childhood has a lasting impact that will affect the child’s growth and development – not only at school – but later in their lives as well.
Early learning prepares your child for lifelong learning. It involves activities, interactions and experiences that support early language and communication, cognitive skills, and motor development. To develop these skills, your child needs to be in an environment that encourages their curiosity, empathy, communication, imagination, and well-being.
SmartStart operates in all nine provinces through a extensive network of partners known as Franchisors. Our Franchisor network recruits, coaches and support our network of Early Learning practitioners. Our practitioners decide where they run their classes from. This may include community halls, churches, or their homes. You can send a message to our WhatsApp hotline on 060 658 6058 and a member from our team will provide you with more information on SmartStart programmes near you.
As a social franchise, SmartStart uses proven franchising methods and processes to achieve our impact. Our programme, it’s quality standards, and training and support are delivered in the same manner in all provinces.
SmartStart’s Franchisors plan, organise and support the SmartStart network in a specific region in South Africa. They oversee the planning and management of the SmartStart programme.
SmartStart works with 14 Franchisors across the country. You can learn more about them on our partner page.
To close the Early Learning gap in South Africa, SmartStart recruits, trains and licence (predominantly) women to start and operate their own early learning micro-enterprise. This enables the Early Learning practitioner to generate an income while caring for young children so their parents can go out and work.
You can show your interest in becoming a practitioner by clicking the apply button on the practitioner webpage. Once you have submitted an application form, there are a number of steps you need to take to become a SmartStart practitioner. This includes completing an assessment process, a community task, and five days of training. Once you have successful met all the matching requirements, you will be invited to a five-day training to get started.
In order to apply for the opportunity, you will need to have: a valid Identity Document and a notice of Grade 9 completion. During the selection and matching, SmartStart conducts additional screening and vetting to check the criminal status of applicants.
There are no application fees associated with applying to become an Early Learning practitioner.
Yes, the SmartStart programme is aligned to the National Curriculum and Assessment Policy of the Department of Basic Education in South Africa.
To apply to the SmartStart Early Learning practitioner programme, you must be over the age of 18 and have a minimum of grade ten, or three years’ experience working with young children. As part of the recruitment process, we require that practitioners have police clearance and clearance in terms of the National Child Protection register.
The SmartStart programme and curriculum has been created for children aged 3-5 years.
Our programmes typically close for the summer holidays in December. Other closing period throughout the year varies by Early Learning programme and the needs of the participating parents in that programme.
As a parent or caregiver, you will receive regular updates from the Early Learning practitioner on how your child is coping and progressing at the programme. You will also receive a child progress report that provides you with progress your child is making in the different areas of their development (e.g. social, emotional, physical).
All SmartStart centre’s undergo a rigorous licensing assessment to make sure that they are both safe and conducive to run the SmartStart programme. A SmartStart programme cannot start without the licensing certificate.
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