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Mobilised sector
and accountable government

We generate knowledge and support advocacy to hold the government accountable for ECD.

Why this matters

Our government must realise the right to ECD. All children and caregivers must be able to access the full Essential Package. 

There should be no barriers to access, and caregivers who cannot afford to pay for services and support must be funded by the government. Access to the Essential Package is currently unequal, with some key components such as income support for pregnant women not being in place. 

Expanding access to the Essential Package is just as important for women as it is for children, offering plentiful opportunities to upskill and create income-earning opportunities. 

All of society, caregivers included, should be empowered to hold the government accountable to this obligation. 

Real Reform manifesto launch, Johannesburg (2024)

Our 2027 goals

  • The government and all sectors of society agree that ECD is a key contributor to human capital development.
  • The ECD sector is galvanised around core components that must feature in new standalone ECD legislation.
  • The government approves a social grant to poor pregnant women and intensifies efforts to ensure early uptake of the Child Support Grant.
  • The ECD Inter-sectoral Forum becomes a more effective platform for ECD civil society and government engagement.
  • Home visiting programmes are recognised by the government as critical to child health and nutrition outcomes and are better integrated into the health system.
  • The Budget Justice Coalition, Real Reform for ECD, and other partners advocate for ECD financing, thus broadening the call for increased and improved investment in ECD.
  • There is strengthened collective action amongst ECD stakeholders. ECD practitioners understand the right to ECD and can use democratic systems to push for reform and accountability.

Our work towards this goal

  • The government and all sectors of society agree that ECD is a key contributor to human capital development.
  • The ECD sector is galvanised around core components that must feature in new standalone ECD legislation.
  • Led by the Grow Great Campaign, undertake community nutrition surveys, and publish stunting scorecards to advocate for zero-stunting.
  • Led by the Grow Great Campaign, undertake community nutrition surveys, and publish stunting scorecards to advocate for zero-stunting.
  • Led by the Grow Great Campaign, undertake community nutrition surveys, and publish stunting scorecards to advocate for zero-stunting.
  • Led by the Grow Great Campaign, undertake community nutrition surveys, and publish stunting scorecards to advocate for zero-stunting.

How we are working towards this goal

  • Generate evidence to establish public consensus that ECD is a key contributor to growing South Africa’s human capital – both in terms of (1) children’s development, and (2) the income-generating potential that childcare and ECD jobs offer women. 
  • Led by the Grow Great Campaign, undertake community nutrition surveys, and publish stunting scorecards to advocate for zero-stunting.
  • Use the Real Reform for ECD movement to mobilise the ECD sector to demand that the government delivers on its obligation to expand access to the Essential Package for all.
  • With the Grow Great Campaign, advocate for vulnerable pregnant women to receive income support, while also calling on the government to ensure that children are registered to receive the Child Support Grant from birth.
  • Engage in platforms for accountability and partnership between the government and the civil sector, such as the Budget Justice Coalition South Africa. 

Projects

Right to ECD

Mar 2026

Right to ECD

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Our 7 strategic focus areas

Our 7 strategic focus areas are the conditions needed for the early childhood ecosystem to function at scale.

Mobilised sector and accountable governance

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Coordinated, collaborative, and cohesive ECD service delivery model

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Simpler and fairer regulations

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Data-driven planning and quality improvement

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Informed and supported caregivers

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Effective delivery systems

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Increased budgets

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