We develop effective systems to expedite early childhood development (ECD) service delivery and ways for the government to utilise them.
We need systems that will accelerate the number of children attending quality Early Learning Programmes (ELPs). Effective delivery systems must respond to children and their caregivers’ needs, and maximise existing community resources, such as unemployed women and venues.
The systems should manage the recruitment of women into the sector and enable them to set up ELPs easily. The government currently does not have ways to do this, but civil society does. Such delivery systems should form part of the government’s service delivery model to close the ELP access gap.
Early learning playgroup in Cape Winelands District, Western Cape (2025)
Work with SmartStart to develop innovative ways to support informal ELPs to set up and deliver programmes and also access government support.
Design the government mechanism to recognise and support informal ELPs.
Work with SmartStart to adapt existing suites of tools, processes, and learnings on how to set up and sustain an ELP for free use by individuals and organisations who are not necessarily part of the SmartStart network.
Develop innovative approaches to support mass registration of small ELPs.
Our 7 strategic focus areas are the conditions needed for the early childhood ecosystem to function at scale.
