South African Early
Childhood Review

The South African (SA) Early Childhood Review is a regular publication that presents information on the essential components of the comprehensive package of early childhood development services. The review includes data and commentary on over 50 carefully selected indicators on the status of children under six, as well as service delivery progress across five domains: primary level maternal and child health, nutrition support, support for primary caregivers, social services and income support, and stimulation for early learning.

The SA Early Childhood Review is a joint publication between Ilifa Labantwana, the Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency, the Department of Basic Education, the Grow Great Campaign, and DataDrive2030.

Reports And Insights

South African Early Childhood Review 2024

The South African Early Childhood Review is a regular publication that presents information on the essential components of the comprehensive package of early childhood development (ECD) services. It includes data and commentary on the status of children under the age of 6, and service delivery progress across 5 domains: (1) primary-level maternal and child health, (2) nutrition, (3) support for primary caregivers, (4) income support and social services, and (5) stimulation for early learning.

The Review is a collaboration between Ilifa Labantwana, the Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town, DataDrive2030, the Grow Great Campaign, the Department for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency, and the Department of Basic Education.

Policy brief 

Jun 2026

Does Enrolment in Early Learning Programmes Improve Cognitive Outcomes? Evidence from Three South African Provinces

Working paper 

Jun 2026

Cognitive Gains from Early Learning Programme Enrolment in Three South African Provinces: Analysis of the 2024 Thrive by Five Index

Policy brief , Video 

Jun 2026

Cognitive gains from early learning enrolment in three South African provinces

Policy brief , Publications

May 2026

Birth to three: Investing early in lifelong development

Policy brief , Publications

May 2026

BUILDING BETTER: Why tracking quality is part of strengthening early childhood development in South Africa

Policy brief , Publications

May 2026

The Affordability Crisis in Early Childhood Care and Education in South Africa: A Systems Perspective

Video 

May 2026

Carrying the System: Women’s Invisible Burden in South Africa’s Childcare Model

Video 

Apr 2026

Determinants of school readiness in South African pre-schoolers: An analysis of numeracy and literacy skills

Video 

Mar 2026

Appraising the completeness of Road-to-Health booklets at ECD centres in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Video 

Feb 2026

An unequal start: Impact of age of school entry on academic progression and performance in Grades 1-4

Video 

Nov 2025

Reimagining early childhood development through The Motherload lens webinar

Video 

Oct 2025

Thrive by Five Index 2024 webinar

Policy brief 

Oct 2025

Closing the protection gap: The case for a Maternal Support Grant

Report 

Sep 2025

Thrive by Five Index 2024 National Findings Report

Video 

Aug 2025

School-entry socio-emotional skills and early-grade literacy and mathematics achievement webinar

Policy brief 

Aug 2025

Advancing maternal and child health through Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation in South Africa

Video 

Jul 2025

Vaccine coverage and timeliness among children of adolescent mothers webinar

Policy brief 

Jul 2025

Closing the food gap

Video 

Jun 2025

Exploring the impact of a story-based teacher training programme on language and early literacy in 4- and 5-year-olds -2

Presentation

Jun 2025

Exploring the impact of a story-based teacher training programme on language and early literacy in 4- and 5-year-olds

Video 

May 2025

Using systems thinking for programme theory and evaluation in ECD webinar

Presentation

May 2025

Using systems thinking for programme theory and evaluation in ECD: A feasibility study

Video 

Apr 2025

Childcare and early childhood development expenditures in Africa webinar

Report 

Apr 2025

Unlocking affordable and quality childcare to benefit women, children, and the broader society

Video 

Mar 2025

Exploring the impact of austerity budgeting on South Africa’s public services -2

Presentation

Mar 2025

Reimagining early childhood development through The Motherload lens

Working paper 

Mar 2025

School-entry socio-emotional skills and early-grade literacy and mathematics achievement

Report 

Mar 2025

Vaccine coverage and timeliness among children of adolescent mothers: A community-based study in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Presentation

Mar 2025

Exploring the impact of austerity budgeting on South Africa’s public services

Advocacy 

Mar 2025

Full analysis of the 2025 National Budget