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.

Report 

Mar 2019

South African Early Childhood Review 2019

Strategy 

Feb 2019

A plan to achieve universal coverage of early childhood development services by 2030

Report 

Jan 2019

The development of a South African Early Learning Outcomes Measure

Toolkit 

Jan 2019

ECD Practitioner Quality Reflection Tool

Toolkit 

Nov 2018

Ibhayi Lengane Toolkit: a facilitation guide for home visitors

Report 

Apr 2018

Home Visiting Programme 2017/18 Report

Report 

Mar 2018

Education Series Volume IV: Early Childhood Development in South Africa 2016

Evaluation  

Mar 2018

Ibhayi Lengane feasibility study report

Report 

Nov 2017

South African Child Gauge 2017

Report 

Oct 2017

South African Early Childhood Review 2017

Strategy 

Feb 2017

The Ilifa Labantwana Story: Phase II 

Toolkit 

Sep 2016

Bhalisa Inkulisa Social Worker Toolkit to Support the Partial Care Registration Process

Infographic 

May 2016

South African Early Childhood Review 2016 in brief

Report 

May 2016

South African Early Childhood Review 2016

Report 

Nov 2015

Ilifa Insights Issue 3

Toolkit 

Oct 2015

The role of the Social Worker in ECD Programme Quality Assessment and Improvement

Toolkit 

Oct 2015

Procuring resources for ECD centres

Research paper 

Sep 2015

Funding of learnerships for ECD practitioners

Annual report 

Jun 2015

Ilifa Annual Report 2014/2015

Report 

May 2015

Ilifa Insights Issue 2

Toolkit 

Mar 2015

The Role of Environmental Health Practitioners in Supporting ECD Centres

Research paper 

Nov 2014

Toxic stress and the vicious cycle of poverty in South Africa

Research paper 

Jul 2014

The Essential Package

Report 

May 2014

Resource Ilifa Insights Issue 1

Report 

Apr 2014

ECD centre registration and funding systems in KwaZulu-Natal

Report 

Mar 2014

Private funding of ECD in South Africa

Report 

Mar 2014

Opportunities and risks for the ECD non-profit sector

Evaluation  

Mar 2014

Introduction to the Sinovuyo Caring Families Project

Research paper 

Mar 2014

Developing appropriate financing models for ECD scale-up

Research paper 

Jan 2014

TVET Colleges: Contributions towards HR Development in the Early Childhood Development Sector