South Africa’s children’s futures are being shaped long before they step into formal education, but inadequate funding for Early Childhood Development (ECD) is leaving many without the necessary care and resources. Despite the government’s efforts to expand access to ECD, only 2.9% of the basic education budget and a mere 0.44% of the national budget are allocated to this crucial sector, forcing non-profit organisations (NPOs) to pick up the slack where the state falls short.
Recent data paints a stark picture of the current state of ECD centres across the country. A significant 45% of these centres lack running water, 40% are not connected to sewage systems, and 34% lack outdoor play areas vital for children’s development. Many centres also suffer from inadequate infrastructure and insufficient learning materials.
“For thousands of children, their first introduction to books, structured learning, and basic resources comes from NPOs rather than government-funded centres,” said Deb Zelezniak, CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project. “In the past four years, our organisation has invested over R2 million into transforming five underfunded centres into nurturing environments, supporting over 200 children annually. But these efforts, although impactful, are no substitute for the systemic changes that are desperately needed.”
A growing literacy crisis
Lack of funding continues to affect the educational resources available at ECD centres. According to reports, 44% of centres have no age-appropriate books, and 39% have fewer than ten books available at all. This lack of resources has led to 26% of four- and five-year-olds struggling with basic literacy, and 19% lagging far behind their peers. Some children enter Grade 1 without ever having held a book.
NPOs like Book Dash are stepping in to bridge this gap by creating, printing, and distributing African storybooks to young children across the country. “There’s a literacy crisis unfolding, and organisations like Book Dash are essential to ensuring children get the resources they need to thrive,” Zelezniak added.
The skills deficit among ECD practitioners
The shortage of qualified ECD practitioners is another pressing issue. Nearly half of ECD practitioners lack formal qualifications, and 22% have no relevant training whatsoever. This is a critical gap, especially as well-trained educators are vital for ensuring quality early childhood education.
NPOs are working to fill this void by providing training to ECD practitioners, many of whom are minimum-wage earners unable to afford further education. “If the government wants to improve early education, it must prioritise upskilling these practitioners,” said Zelezniak. “This is crucial as only 10% of primary school teachers believe that most children are developmentally ready for school.”
ORT SA CAPE, another NPO, offers training programmes for educators in economically disadvantaged communities, equipping them with formal qualifications and mentoring skills. Joyce Cwayi, a caregiver at Ulutho Educare Centre in Mitchell’s Plain, shared how this training has impacted her: “We don’t always get this kind of training from the Department of Basic Education. This has really helped us improve our skills.”
DBE’s mass registration drive
In late 2024, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) launched a mass registration drive for ECD centres, aimed at improving the facilities, training, and materials available to them. However, many centres are struggling to comply with the new requirements due to a lack of resources. NPOs are stepping in to help centres navigate the complex registration process, offering financial management training and guidance on turning ECD centres into sustainable small businesses.
While the government’s recent decision to increase the ECD subsidy from R17 to R24 per child per day may seem like a step in the right direction, the core issue remains: the subsidy is still insufficient. Rising costs in food, sanitation, and educational materials mean that many centres are still unable to provide the quality care children need, even with the subsidy increase.
If South Africa is serious about improving early childhood education, there must be a substantial increase in investment, not just in ECD centres but also in the NPOs working tirelessly on the ground to fill systemic gaps.
Research has consistently shown that investing in early childhood education is one of the most cost-effective ways to drive long-term economic growth. A stronger ECD system leads to better educational outcomes, increased productivity, and a future workforce equipped to contribute to the economy.
Zelezniak concluded, “The question we must ask is: how much longer can NPOs be expected to shoulder the burden of a government responsibility? And how much more can they do without meaningful public-sector support?”
