Abstract
In this review article, the context of young children in South Africa in 2012 is described and the main challenges affecting children and the early childhood development sector (ECD) in South Africa are investigated. A situation analysis of ECD in South Africa was undertaken using South African government ECD policy and programme implementation reports. There has been progress since 1994, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The number of children in Grade R has trebled since 2001, government education and social development budgets have increased substantially and 58% of children at ECD centres nationally are now subsidised. More children are in provision and in better quality provision than before. However, much still remains to be done before we can say with confidence that the needs of our youngest children are being met. This study identifies infrastructure, nutrition, ECD programmes, teacher training, institutional capacity and funding as the major gaps in ECD provision.
Highlights
The majority of young children in South Africa are negatively impacted by a range of social and economic inequalities
This paper provides a broad overview of the current state of the early childhood development sector in South Africa
There are a number of possible reasons as to why training does not necessarily guarantee quality care and teaching. These could include: a lack of practical demonstration and instruction during training, a lack of on-site support to assist with implementation of theoretical training, and a lack of follow-up support after the completion of training so as to ensure consistent implementation. In another recent study, conducted in 2011, the researchers found that, throughout South Africa, early childhood development sector (ECD) teachers based in Grade R classes in public schools and those based in community-based facilities are “relatively experienced, and have a fair level of ECD qualification.” (DoBE, Department of Social Development (DoSD) & UNICEF, 2010)
Summary
The majority of young children in South Africa are negatively impacted by a range of social and economic inequalities. Apartheid and the resultant socio-economic inequalities have created a childhood of adversity for most black South African children in the country, including inadequate access to health care, education, social services and quality nutrition. This has undermined the development of our children. The relevant government departments (namely the Department of Social Development, Education, and Health), has identified the need to increase access to ECD programmes, as well as enhance the quality of ECD programmes and services, for children from disadvantaged backgrounds Funding to both early childhood development centres (birth to four years of age), through the Department of Social Development, and to Grade R (five to six years of age) through the Department of Education (DoBE, DoSD & UNICEF, 2010) has been increased. Just over 1,1 million children enter Grade 1 each year; the provision rate for Grade R currently stands at approximately 67%
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