Against the breath-taking backdrop of the Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge in the North West Province, South Africa, leaders, experts and visionaries gathered for the G20 ECCE seminar on 27 May 2025, a day filled with dynamic insights, heartfelt stories and a shared commitment to transforming Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for every child, everywhere. Expert speakers from various countries, including Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, the UK and South Africa graced the podium with insightful presentations.
The Minister of Basic Education’s words at the outset reverberated throughout the day: “As we gather here we do so with a shared purpose: to reflect, to learn, and to lead” as this collective spirit underscored every conversation, reinforcing a powerful truth: quality ECCE is not just an educational priority, it is a societal imperative. The evidence is indisputable. Early childhood investments lay the foundation for lifelong success, not only for individual children, but for nations and economies at large. The urgency of action is clear, and the momentum for change has never been stronger.
Systems Thinking: Putting Children at the Centre: A key takeaway from the seminar was the importance of systems thinking. ECCE is not just about isolated programmes or singular investments; it is about ensuring that every element within the system works in harmony with one clear objective: children’s well-being. For children to thrive, ECCE initiatives must integrate health, nutrition, protection and play. Every intervention, be it policy reform, innovation, or financial investment, must serve the singular goal of making children safe, healthy, and ready to learn.
Harnessing Local Strengths and Multi-Sector Solutions: A particularly inspiring thread running through the seminar was the emphasis on local assets: our communities, our homes, and our rich linguistic diversity. These are the bedrock of sustainable ECCE solutions. Beyond education, multi-sector approaches were highlighted as essential tools in addressing key challenges such as undernutrition, violence prevention and climate adaptation.
Another crucial issue raised was financing. In a world of constrained resources, innovative financial models offer an opportunity to expand access to quality ECCE without deepening inequalities. By rethinking investment strategies, countries can ensure that every child, regardless of location or background, receives the early learning experiences they deserve.
The Case for Universal Access to ECCE: One of the most compelling discussions of the day centred on the urgent need to expand access to quality ECCE. Whilst the aspiration of guaranteeing at least one year of universal access remains a powerful goal, practical constraints may shape its implementation over time. Nevertheless, the benefits extend far beyond early childhood development; economic projections indicate that investing in ECCE yields significant long-term financial gains. Countries prioritising ECCE are not merely transforming individual lives; they are strengthening their economic resilience. The returns, measured in social mobility, workforce readiness and national productivity, reinforce the argument that ECCE should be regarded as a strategic national investment, even if implementation varies across different contexts.
Turning Commitment into Action: The path forward is clear: the basic education sector needs to invest in communities and systems that uphold inclusive ECCE; strengthen the workforce, ensuring educators are skilled and valued; integrate holistic approaches that unite education, health, and social support; and leverage innovation responsibly, using technology and new financing models to scale solutions. Through global solidarity and local action, quality ECCE can become a universal reality. If leaders, communities and institutions act decisively, not only today’s commitments will be shaped, but the future of generations to come. For every child, everywhere, the time to act is now.