Early Childhood Development and Partial Care
Early Childhood Development means a process of emotional, cognitive, sensory, spiritual, moral, physical, social and communication development of children from
birth to school-going age.
Provision of Early Childhood Development (ECD) services is one of the key activities which are regulated by the Children's Act. An ECD Centre refers to: any building or premises maintained or used, whether or not for gain, for the admission,
protection and temporary care of more than six children away from their parents. Depending on registration, an ECD centre can admit babies, toddlers and/or pre-school aged children.
The Department of Social Development has the responsibility of providing support to ECD Centres in order to ensure that they do comply with Norms and Standards as spelt out in the Children's Act which will in turn ensure that the children who are in ECD Centres are safe.
Registration of Early Childhood Development Centres
The Children’s act requires that ALL ECD Centres catering for children 0-4 years whether private or community based MUST register with the Department of Social Development.
Application for registration is therefore lodged with the local Social Development once that will then assess the Centre to determine if it does meet the minimum
Norms and Standards.
To operate an ECD Centre
You must:
Possess an appropriate ECD qualication, skills, training and
Have a minimum of three years of working in the Early Childhood Development
Depending on the outcome of the assessment a certificate is then issued spelling out the details of the registration and conditions if any.
Funding of ECD Centres
Depending on the budget available the Department provides subsidy to the children who are in ECD Centres who fall within the set means test, which is calculated as follows:
- If the parents/ guardian have 1 Child: the total combined income of both parents/guardian should be less than R1800.00 per month.
- If the parents/ guardian have 2 children at the ECD centre: the total combined income of both parents should be less than R2020.00 per month.
- If the parents/ guardian have 3 children at the ECD centre: the total combined income of both parents should be less than R2240.00 per month.
- If the parents/ guardian have 4 children at the ECD centre: the total combined income of both parents should be less than R2460.00 per month.
The subsidy is further broken down as follows:
50% for nutrition (buying food for the children)
30% for stipends, and
20% for administration.
It needs to be noted that registration does not necessarily mean that an ECD Centre will be funded.
Monitoring of ECD Centres
Over and above the registration and funding of the ECD Centres, the Department has dedicated sta that monitors ECD Centers on a monthly basis. The monitoring is done to ensure that the required standard is adhered to at all times and to identify
areas where there is support needed. It is the Department’s view that give children
the best start in life it has to start at the ECD Centres. Department want to ensure that there is continuous communication that takes place between Social Development and all ECD Centre’s so-that problems can be identied and addressed before it can impact on the children