Review of SA’s early childhood development policy paves way ahead

In collaboration with UNICEF, Genesis conducted a comprehensive evaluation of South Africa’s National Integrated Early Childhood Development (NIECD) Policy to assess the progress and effectiveness of its implementation since the policy was introduced in 2015.

The evaluation examined the successes and challenges in achieving the policy’s objectives in the short, medium and long term, as well as its influence on the planning, delivery and regulation of ECD services at various levels of government. The assessment involved wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders across the sector, a review of the national policy framework and a literature review to produce a comprehensive sectoral assessment for ECD. The study identified key learnings and insights from eight years of policy implementation.

Introduced in 2015, South Africa’s NIECD policy aimed to establish a comprehensive framework for providing quality ECD services to all children in the country. Recognising the critical role of ECD in shaping children's potential, the policy set out a holistic set of sectoral targets and outlined the commitments from the state that would be required to achieve them.

In the years after the policy’s implementation, the South African government achieved significant progress, including near-universalisation of birth registration and a strong social protection system that includes one of the largest cash transfer programmes in Africa and globally. Despite progress, gaps remain within the policy and implementation, which the government is committed to addressing.

The evaluation served to bring together insights across sectors that may face coordination challenges such as assessing social protection measures, operational bottlenecks in accessing critical services, and mapping human resource requirements. The evaluation clarified roles and responsibilities by distinguishing between those of government and those covered by the private sector and NGOs. This culminated in a presentation of perspectives from both sides, as well as a way forward to standardise fragmented efforts under a national framework.

The study provided valuable recommendations for policy amendments and improvements, particularly in light of the recent shift of ECD responsibilities from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education. These recommendations aim to enhance the effectiveness and impact of the NIECD policy, ensuring that every child in South Africa has access to comprehensive, quality ECD services that lay the foundation for their optimal development and future success.