ecdlatest news & developments
Children learn through play at the Little Red Dragon preschool, run by the Lebone Centre in Makhanda. Play helps children ‘read’ their world and tell their stories, a vital step in their literacy development. Photos: Debbie Smuts

Preschoolers falling through the cracks

SA spends just 1.8% of its education budget on ECD: the damage shows

  • Eyaaz
8 min read
The caregivers of children who are at home also need support. Photo: File

Mothers, grandmothers and other caregivers need care too

When we support caregivers, we build the future one conversation, one playful interaction, one child at a time

5 min read
The data from research centre Intelpoint suggests the majority of the population aged 15 years and older possesses basic reading and writing skills.

South Africa has second highest rate of literate adults in Africa

But this starkly contrasts with the literacy problems faced by the younger population, particularly in the early primary grades

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
Children who enter grade one at the minimum age of 5½ years are at a significantly higher risk of repeating the year than those who wait until they are six to start school, a study has shown

Children who start grade one aged below six years at higher risk of having to repeat

President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasised the need to provide universal early-childhood development services to improve learner outcomes

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
In an urgent application brought before the Johannesburg high court, the Equal Education Law Centre wants the right to early childhood development (ECD) to become part of the right to a basic education.

Gauteng education department has ‘no duty’ to provide ECD centres

The Equal Education Law Centre has launched an application against the department over its failure to provide education to children affected by last year’s Usindiso fire

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
(John McCann/M&G)

Meals at early childhood development centres can help meet basic nutritional needs

But these ECD centres, which often provide children with their only meal for the day, need additional financial and other support to ensure the food is nutritious

  • Eyaaz
5 min read

Kgololo Academy in Alexandra receives a jungle gym through the Better-Quality Play campaign

Nominate a primary school or day-care centre to receive a R10 000 playground upgrade

  • Derek Davey
2 min read

Safe Parks provide essential support so children can learn

‘It’s a small step to encourage them to keep on with their schoolwork’

  • Derek Davey
4 min read
A playground created by SASKO.

SASKO Siyasizana aims to improve the lives of five million children by 2030

The initiative is boosting Mzansi’s communities through positive play

  • Derek Davey
3 min read