The Early Childhood Development (ECD) function shift, from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education, will be implemented on 1 April 2022. Two important undertakings during the shift are the ECD Census 2021 and the South African Early Years Index and Baseline Assessment.

Dr Janeli Kotze, from the DBE’s Research Coordination Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, explained that, “the information gained through the South African Early Years Index and Baseline Assessment will allow the DBE to report on Sustainable Development Goal 4.2.1 on the proportion of 4-year-olds who are developmentally on track. It will also enable the DBE to track the improvements that are made in the quality of ECD provision over the next five to 10 years. The Early Years Index will provide a unique opportunity to elevate the ECD narrative from only focusing on early education, to instead focus on all the aspects needed by children to thrive. Children who feel loved and protected; receive good healthcare and nutritious food; and are given opportunities that spark their ability to learn, are able to build strong foundations that set them up for lifelong success”.

In addition, she added that, “the Index will further indicate the health, learning and psychosocial well-being of children to ensure that they are developmentally on track using Early Learning Outcomes Measure (ELOM) standards. Prior to the development of the ELOM, there was no validated South African instrument for measuring programme performance against Early Learning Development Standards. The ELOM is an age-normed, standardised instrument for use with children in two age groups: 50 to 59 months and 60 to 69 months. The key learning and developmental areas for programmes designed to support the development of young children also include Gross Motor Development; Fine Motor Coordination and Visual Motor Integration; Emergent Numeracy and Mathematics; Cognition and Executive Functioning; Literacy and Language; and the child’s Task Orientation. The child’s capacity for self-care, relations with peers and adults and emotional functioning are also measured”. The Baseline Assessment will in turn provide us with a better understanding of the contextual realities in which ECD programmes operate, as well as the quality of instruction in ECD programmes. This will allow the DBE to better plan for targeted support to the sector.

Basic Education Minister, Mrs Angie Motshekga, virtually launched the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Census on 26 August 2021. The Census is aimed at collecting data on all ECD programmes to have a better understanding of the sector’s landscape. The Census, taking place from August to December 2021, will map a master list and integrate information into the Education Management Information System (EMIS), thus expanding the provision of education support programmes, as well as play-based learning.