We strengthen the public early childhood system so more children can access high-quality services, more early childhood service providers can earn a living, and more caregivers can go to work knowing their children are well cared for.
Millions of children and their caregivers in South Africa are excluded from quality early childhood services – either because they cannot afford them, or because services are not available where they live. At the same time, thousands of early childhood service providers are under-supported, underpaid, and undervalued.
This is not a small or simple problem, but it is solvable if we work together to address its root causes.
Infant at healthcare worker-led home visit, Gauteng (2025)
Our 7 strategic focus areas are the conditions we need for the early childhood ecosystem to function at scale.
Early learning programme in Cape Winelands District, Western Cape (2025)
Early childhood is a time of great risk and great opportunity.
Our early years shape our life trajectory – health, income, and behaviour. On a national scale, investment in early childhood is a powerful way to break the cycles of poverty and address deep-rooted inequality. It also enables caregivers to participate in the workforce and creates economic opportunities in the women-led care sector.
Strengthening early childhood development is not only essential for children and families – it is an investment in a prosperous and equitable South Africa.
The government plays a central role in enabling the ecosystem to function and has a responsibility to ensure all children thrive. However, the public mechanisms intended to support, scale, and sustain ECD programmes are often difficult to access.
Service provision is largely driven locally and informally by women in the communities where they live, with limited government support, recognition, and resources. The ecosystem must enable stronger linkages between these women-led community initiatives, government, and civil society.
There are also significant gaps in support for caregivers to provide nurturing care at home, particularly for very young children.
A supportive and engaged private sector can help government interface more effectively with service providers and caregivers.
Investment in ECD benefits everyone and depends on the public sharing of knowledge and research that builds consensus around the importance of the early years.
Our 7 strategic goals address the weak points in the ecosystem. Click on the nodes to explore how we are working to close the gaps.