Ilifa Labantwana

2024 was a big year for early childhood development (ECD) in South Africa.   In addition to publishing the 2030 Strategy for ECD Programmes, the Department of Basic Education launched the Bana Pele Mass Registration Drive for ECD programmes and the digital platform, eCares.   Universal access to quality ECD in SA will require cooperation, collaboration and coordination. We were proud to be part of the diverse network of civil society, funding and technical partners that made Bana Pele and eCares possible – a tangible demonstration of the DBE’s Social Compact for ECD.   Bana Pele is a major step forward for ECD for two key reasons:    ⭐ Bana Pele brings ECD programmes into the government system where they can receive support and ultimately improve their services to children. ECD programmes in low-income areas have historically been excluded from the system because they haven’t met the registration requirements. Together with our partners, we have supported the DBE to review the requirements for conditional registration – the new Bronze level. As a result, more ECD programmes will now be registered conditionally and will have the opportunity to improve.     ⭐ The Bana Pele Mass Registration uses the new Early Childhood Administration and Reporting System (eCares) platform. We have supported the design and development of eCares, which is led by the DBE and funded by The LEGO Foundation. eCares will move ECD administration and reporting systems from paper to digital, and for the first time, has enabled online application for Bronze registration by ECD programmes through Bana Pele.   Over the next 2 years, eCares will evolve to incorporate other critical government ECD administration processes such as Silver/Gold registration, indicator reporting, funding applications, and quality assurance and support.     If ECD programmes are not visible, they cannot be supported. Bana Pele and eCares make the historically invisible, visible.   We look forward to continuing to support the growth and delivery of these important initiatives in 2025.  Colin Almeleh Palesa Nkabane Janeli Kotzé Nicholas Dowdall Shakira Maharaj Zanele Mochechela Data Innovators Siven Maslamoney YELLOWWOODS VENTURES INVESTMENTS DG Murray Trust Oppenheimer Memorial Trust

South Africa must increase its budget for ECD. As a country, we cannot achieve quality ECD services for all children and their caregivers, and grow the women-led care economy without increasing investment. We are using this period of reflection to re-share two budget commentary documents we published this year: 1. National Budget Review 2024 👉 https://lnkd.in/dhEfr3Xw 2. Medium Term Budget Policy Review 2024 👉 https://lnkd.in/dkM_PWK7 We also reiterate our asks to government: 📄 The 2025 Budget Review should reflect on the impact of ECD investments on economic growth, job creation and gender equality. 💸 Restore the value of the ECD subsidy to its 2019 purchasing power of R23 per child per day and commit to increasing the value to R46 by 2030. ⬆️ Increase access to the subsidy for an additional one million children by 2027. 🏗️ Double funding for ECD infrastructure and registration support to R300 million. 👐 Restore the Child Support Grant value (currently R530) to the food poverty line of R796 per month. 🍎 Ensure nutrition reaches ALL children eligible for the Child Support Grant. 🤰 Implement a Maternity Support Grant from the second trimester of pregnancy at the value of the Child Support Grant. In 2025, we will continue to advocate for the sector, specifically including ECD in government’s economic growth strategy. We have so much to gain in both the long and short term by investing in ECD. Thank you to our partners in this work Real Reform for ECD Budget Justice Coalition Equality Collective DG Murray Trust Grow Great Campaign Daniel McLaren Laura Droomer #earlychildhooddevelopment #ECD #southafrica #development #earlyyears

📚 During 2024, we remained committed to generating evidence to establish a public consensus that #earlychildhooddevelopment is a key contributor to growing South Africa’s human capital - both in terms of children’s development and the income-generating potential that childcare and ECD jobs offer women. 🙏 Thank you to our research partners and collaborators who have shared data, insights and expertise to make this work possible. Below are three highlights from 2024: 📌 The South African Early Childhood Review, which tracks data on the status of children under six years, was published in July. The review showed that young children in SA are more likely to live in #poverty, suffer from #foodinsecurity and #malnutrition, and die before their fifth birthday than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. More here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dNyWkh8n The Review is a collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Children's Institute at University of Cape Town, DataDrive2030, and Grow Great Campaign. 📌 We contributed insights into ECD data and financing trends to the 17th Child Gauge, published by the Children’s Institute in August. More here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dr-gKf3G 📌The "Early Childhood Systems" webinar and working paper partnership with RESEP (Research on Socio-Economic Policy) and DataDrive2030 promoted research addressing the major systemic issues facing the ECD sector to a wider audience. More here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d8KNSQKQ #ECD #research #evidencebasedaction #southafrica #earlyyears Leanne Jansen-Thomas Elizabeth Girdwood Elizabeth Biney, PhD Colin Almeleh Katharine Hall Sonja Giese

📢 OPPORTUNITY ALERT 📢 The Budget Justice Coalition is seeking to employ a Coalition Organiser, who will implement proper systems and processes to enable the coalition and its committees to function efficiently and effectively. This is a remote 1-year contract position, with the possibility for renewal and a great opportunity for individuals passionate about social justice and budget advocacy. More info here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dW7mG_ya Applications close 📅 13 December The Budget Justice Coalition is made up of 22 civil society organisations and social movements holding the government accountable for the full and equal enjoyment of socio-economic rights in South Africa. #jobs #jobopportunity #southafricajobs #socialjustice #vacancy Daniel McLaren

It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of children and women's rights advocate, Carol Bower. As the first-ever director of the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust, Carol understood that protecting and nurturing children’s rights is fundamental to transforming society to become kinder, more empathetic, compassionate, and human-rights-focused. Her time at RAPCAN (Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) led to Carol making an immense contribution to the Draft Children’s Act (38 of 2005) from 2002-2006 and the First Amendment to the Act passed in 2007. Carol contributed to important international processes for the protection of children, including the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children 2002 and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. We offer our sincere condolences to Carol's family and loved ones. May she rest in peace. Photo courtesy of Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust.

👏 This past year, together with RESEP (Research on Socio-Economic Policy), Stellenbosch University, and DataDrive2030, we presented a webinar and working paper series to promote research and data that addresses major systemic issues facing the ECD sector in South Africa. All 12 working papers and webinar recordings are available here https://lnkd.in/d8KNSQKQ 👇 Key insights from the series included: ➡️ Innovative approaches to early literacy that are bridging developmental gaps ➡️ Understanding the post-COVID landscape of early childhood care and education ➡️ Rethinking methods for measuring and tracking childhood stunting ➡️ Creating seamless, integrated ECD service delivery models ➡️ Making quality education accessible through innovative cost structures ➡️ Exploring gender-specific developmental patterns Early childhood development (ECD) is becoming a top priority for our country. As we champion universal access to quality ECD – aligned with South Africa's National Development Plan 2030, National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy (NIECDP) and Department of Basic Education's 2030 Strategy for ECD – we will continue to promote research and ideas into how to improve early childhood systems. Thank you RESEP (Research on Socio-Economic Policy) and DataDrive2030. Your expertise, along with our passionate presenters has established a strong foundation for evidence-based ECD advocacy. #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment Caylee Cook (PhD) Jesal Kika-Mistry Gabrielle Wills Grace Leach Kate Rich Eldridge Moses Tara Polzer Ngwato Magali von Blottnitz

The Department of Basic Education encourages you to register your ECD programme through its Bana Pele ECD Mass Registration Drive. Bana Pele is our commitment to ensuring every young child receives the best start in life with quality early learning, a safe nurturing environment and good nutrition. We have made the registration process simpler and practitioners are required to submit fewer documents, and are able to receive lots of application support through a contact center, partner NGOs and WhatsApp contact. Let's do registration right and watch our children shine bright! Bana Pele!

🎉 We are excited to welcome Jessica Smith who joins our team as a Data Analyst 🎉 Jessica previously worked as a Data and Research Analyst at 71point4, a data science consulting firm. She has a keen interest in early childhood development and in how to effectively use data to drive meaningful change in the sector. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, as well as an Honours degree in Economics from the University of Cape Town. She brings a passion for finding innovative solutions to social and economic challenges, as part of a team effort. When she’s not analyzing data, you can find her running along the promenade or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Welcome, Jessica 😁!

🌟 Hold My Hand – Together, we can change the future for our children and teens! Imagine if every child had enough love, food, safety, and opportunities to thrive. 💡 Join the movement to make a lasting difference: 1️⃣ Raise awareness in your network 2️⃣ Be present in the lives of children and teens 3️⃣ Take action—start with just one thing 4️⃣ Lead community action for a brighter future 🤝 Sign up today: https://lnkd.in/dbknQMRm 📲 Visit holdmyhand.org.za or WhatsApp 0600 411 111 #HoldMyHand #ForTheKids #TogetherForChange #BuildingFutures

[Research Alert 📢] The latest Lancet Series on Early Childhood Development, “The Next 1000 Days”, emphasises the critical importance of the period between ages 2 and 5 as a pivotal phase for development and well-being. The Series indicate that children who receive early learning support and responsive care are approximately two years more advanced in their development than children who do not receive these supports. This resonates deeply with findings in the South African Early Childhood Review (SAECR 2024), where local challenges and opportunities are highlighted. Both the Lancet Series and the SAECR align on a central theme: nurturing care is indispensable. From health, nutrition, and safety services to responsive caregiving and early learning opportunities, these integrated services shape lifelong outcomes for children. ❓How is South Africa doing in terms of nurturing 2–5-year-olds? 👩⚕️Health and Nutrition: Both reports call for improved access to adequate nutrition and healthcare. In South Africa, stunting affects over 1.5 million (27%) of children under five, risking their health and educational outcomes. 💡Early Learning Opportunities: Only 30% of children globally access early childhood care and education (ECCE). The SAECR shows that over 30% of children aged 3–5 in South Africa miss out on structured early learning. Bridging this gap requires prioritising access interventions. 💰ECCE funding: Globally, the estimated cost of inaction in upper-middle-income countries, such as South Africa, is projected to amount to 2.4% of GDP – a figure significantly higher than the current 0.3% that the South African government spends on early learning, nutrition, and support for caregivers. This calls for substantial targeted resources to support ECD services. ❓Why This Matters for South Africa: The early years are a time to invest in the future of every child, family and wider society. Despite South Africa’s challenging economic climate, marked by high resource constraints, strengthening the ECCE systems cannot wait. Every rand invested in nurturing care during this critical period is an investment to transform prospects for the country's youngest citizens. Read papers here https://ow.ly/lL2450Ugx0I