Message from the Department of Basic Education and UNICEF South Africa
Foreword
It is with great pleasure that we introduce the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Information Hub, a significant milestone in our journey to enhance the quality and access of early learning in South Africa. The importance of ECD cannot be overstated; it is the foundation upon which a child’s future success and well-being are built. Quality early childhood development sets the stage for a lifetime of learning, growth, and prosperity, and it is a cornerstone of a just and equitable society.
Whilst the government of South Africa has in recent years made progress towards improving the ECD sector, there is still much work to be done. As we strive to provide every child in our country with the best possible start in life, it is imperative that we have access to the most up-to-date and comprehensive information, resources, and insights. This is precisely where the ECD Information Hub comes into play.
The ECD Information Hub is not just another platform; it is a dynamic and inclusive repository of knowledge, designed to serve all users and organizations engaged in early childhood development. It is a space where educators, caregivers, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders can come together to share information, exchange ideas, and collaborate in the spirit of enhancing the ECD sector’s overall quality.
The power of information sharing cannot be understated. By making knowledge readily accessible to all, we empower ECD professionals and advocates to make informed decisions, develop innovative strategies, and create positive change in the lives of our youngest citizens. The ECD Information Hub is a catalyst for progress, a beacon of hope, and a testament to the shared commitment of all stakeholders in the ECD sector to nurture and support our children’s growth and development.
We invite you to explore this resource, engage with your peers, and contribute to the ongoing improvement of early childhood development in South Africa. Together, we can build a brighter future for our nation, one child at a time.
Angie Motshekga
Minister of Basic Education of South Africa
Christine Muhigana
Representative: UNICEF South Africa
Who We Are
Early Childhood DevelopmentInformation Hub
Welcome to the Early Childhood Development Information Hub, your go-to resource for all things related to early childhood development in South Africa. The Hb is a collaboration between the Department of Basic Education, UNICEF and the Lego Foundation who share their commitment to advancing the quality of ECD across our nation.
The ECD Information Hub is dedicated to providing you with the most up-to-date, relevant, and valuable information and resources. We are committed to maintaining a platform that fosters a sense of community, support, and growth within the ECD sector. As such, we invite you to explore the platform, engage in discussions, and actively contribute to the collective wisdom of the ECD community. Together, we can shape the future of early childhood development in South Africa, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
Quick Links
Angie Motshekga
Minister of Basic Education of South Africa
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.
Announcements
Gauteng Education Department Hosts its First Ever ECD Mini Olympics, with a theme ‘development through sports and competition’
On the 29th of November, 2024, the Gauteng Department of Education held its first ever Early Childhood Development Mini Olympics . This event broght together early learning programmes (ELPs) across Gauteng, as well as key stakeholders and partners in the ECD sector. The event was aimed at celebrating children through sports, games and friendly competition. Mimicking the July 2024 Paris Olympics, the ECD Olympics opened with the South African National Anthem and a speech from MEC of Education, Sport, Art, Culture and Recreation, Mr Matome Chiloane. This was followed by a parade featuring children holding flags from different countries, accompanied by a
ECD Mass Registration Drive
In January 2024, the Minister of Basic Education announced a new mass registration drive for ECD programmes. This means that the government will support registration of ECD programmes by using a simpler and user-friendly online registration system. The goal is to pull every ECD programme into the regulatory net, and to support ECD programmes in all communities to comply with legal requirements, by recognising the different contexts in which they operate. The new Mass Registration process will be implemented in a phased approach to ensure complete testing of the new enabling tools in the pilot sites in Gauteng. The pilot will shape
Successful Conclusion of the South African National Conference on Play-Based Learning
We are thrilled to announce the successful culmination of the South African National Conference on Play-Based Learning, held at the prestigious Indaba Hotel in Fourways from February 21 to February 22, 2024. Under the theme of “Early Learning and Development: Foundations for the Future through Partnerships on Play, Parents, Practice, and Policy,” the conference brought together esteemed professionals, educators, policymakers, and stakeholders in the early childhood development (ECD) sector. Hosted by a consortium of leading organizations, including the Department of Basic Education, UNICEF, Cotlands, the LEGO Foundation, Sesame Workshop South Africa, and HOPE worldwide South Africa, the event aimed to promote the
There is currently no new announcement. Kindly check back regularly for updates or subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates.
Newsletters and Blogs
The lazy-lazy days of December and the joys of outdoor play
Enriching lives of parents, caregivers and their young children.
The role of early learning in shaping our adult experiences.Â
I would like you to take a moment and think back to your favourite childhood memory. Think of your favourite game… Why was this your favourite game to play? Can you think of a particular skill you obtained while playing this game? Were you able to use some of the lessons into your adult life? Now let us consider a few examples-did you get to practice teamwork and ‘waiting-your-turn’ when you played skipping/kgati with your peers? Did you learn how to strategize, problem solve and take risks during that game of marbles or morabaraba? And did you experiment, count, and test out
Introducing Our Inaugural Newsletter: Amplifying Early Childhood Development Through Play
The ECD Info Hub team is thrilled to present the first edition of our monthly newsletter, dedicated to advancing early childhood development (ECD) initiatives in South Africa. Each month, we will explore diverse topics relevant to ECD, with a focus on fostering learning, growth, and well-being in our youngest learners.
There is currently no new announcement. Kindly check back regularly for updates or subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates.
