Press Release – March 27, 2025

ECD Breakthrough: New South African study shows the way for taking quality early learning to every young child

A groundbreaking study released today by SmartStart, reveals compelling evidence that early learning programmes run in homes and community venues can significantly boost children’s outcomes, even at scale.

The research looked at the impact of SmartStart’s national network of 13,000 early learning programmes (ELPs), which are supported by 13 implementing partners and four branches in every type of community across the country, and whether they can keep improving outcomes for children as the network rapidly expands.

A team of independent researchers, including Professor Sarah Chapman from University of Cape Town as the principal investigator, used South Africa’s Early Learning Outcomes Measure (ELOM) to track the progress of 551 children in SmartStart ELPs over an eight-month period. They found that the proportion of children “on track” increased by a remarkable 20 points from 45% to 65%, while the proportion of those “falling far behind” nearly halved. This meant a dramatic reduction in the achievement gap between children from low- and high-income households, falling from 25 points to just 6 points. Importantly, the SmartStart cohort outperformed the national Thrive by Five Index benchmark.

Grace Matlhape, Chief Executive Officer of SmartStart, said:

“This study tells two stories. One is about the infinite abundance in every child in South Africa, and our responsibility as a society to ensure that their potential is fully released. The second is about the abundant potential of the hundreds of thousands of under-employed women living in low-income communities – and their ability to transform the futures of children when given the right skills and resources.

“The crucial thing about the SmartStart model is that it honours the inherent strengths of our communities. Our programmes run in homes and community venues, which means they offer an immediate and affordable solution to close the access and quality gaps for excluded children. This underscores the need for government to establish enabling policy and funding frameworks that recognise and support these franchisees where they are.

“Today we salute the extraordinary ordinary women across our network who are using simple but transformative practices every day, to create a better future for young children. These women are powerful agents of change, beacons of hope for future generations.
“We also salute the dedication of our implementing partners, and the unwavering support of communities who stand united for their children. Their collective efforts, show the power of a collaborative implementation model to transcend socio-economic barriers and, ultimately, to bridge the equity gap in early learning.”
Celebrating its tenth year of impact, the SmartStart network currently has over 13,000 ELPs serving over 125,000 children, every week. Its network model is deeply rooted in social capital and community empowerment, underpinned by the principle of meeting communities where they are and leveraging their existing assets.
Kulula Manona, Chief Director for Foundations for Learning in the Department of Basic Education, remarked, “This study shines a light on the incredible potential of our children when provided with the right developmental and learning opportunities. It also underscores the critical role of community-based early learning programmes, and the dedicated franchisees who deliver them, in bridging the early learning access gap.”

Professor Sarah Chapman from University of Cape Town, Principal Investigator, said:

“The implications of this study go beyond South Africa, demonstrating that effectiveness isn’t contingent on costly infrastructure and equipment, but on empowering franchisees with the right tools, skills and support. Simple, everyday practices, including nurturing care, lots of talk, and child-centered play, can transform outcomes for young children.”