1. “Three Goals, Nine Steps: A Gauteng Provincial Government’s Experience to Integrate Holistic ECD Services”.

2. GAUTENG PROVINCE

3. Map of Gauteng

4. GAUTENG PROVINCE AT A GLANCE……….. Economy: Gauteng is the commercial powerhouse of Southern Africa. It contributes to 33, 9% of the National Economy and 10% of the total GDP of the African Continent Population: 9 Million: Most densely populated province. Geographical area: Smallest province in South Africa, occupying 1,4 % of the total land area of Sotuh Africa.

5. ECD PROVSION IN GAUTENG Grade R – 4,5/ 5 year olds – Gauteng Department of Education, Training of Practitioners, Part Payment of Practitioners, In door and Our Door Learning and Teaching Resources Pre- Grade R - 0-4 year olds – Department of Health and Social Development, Social Services - registration of sites, subsidization. Health Services - Child Health and Well Being. Local Government (Municipalities) – by-laws, health certificates NGO sector ECDI Coordinating Role (0-4 year olds)

6. 6 THREE GOALS, NINE STEPS INTEGRATE: integration of government ECD services INCREASE: increasing participation in quality ECD services IMPROVE: improving the quality of ECD services

7. 7 NINE STEPS Integration of government ECD services Revised regulatory systems Revised funding system Revised resource strategy Re-worked capacity building strategy Integrated monitoring and support strategy Increased involvement by government in ECD Implementation of an information strategy Introduction of professional registration requirements for all teachers/practitioners

8. CHALLENGES A Gauteng Cabinet Memo depicted the position of ECD programmes in Gauteng as still fragmented, uncoordinated, costly and inaccessible to underprivileged children A large number of children from poor homes are not given the opportunity of attending any programme and are extremely disadvantaged by the time they enter formal schooling. CHALLENGES

9. The following challenges were highlighted in the ECD SECTOR: 1.Definition of ECD: inconsistencies within the targeted ages in each of the departments. 2. Demographic factors: attendance in proportion to population groups is skewed 3. Number of children having access to ECD services: Children in Gauteng have limited and unequal access to ECD service provision 4. Resources: Due to a lack of clear lines of responsibilities and legislation “double dipping” has arisen. This means that there is duplication of government funding for projects. Provinicial (DOSD) social workers and municipal social workers CHALLENGES

10. 5. Monitoring and evaluation: It is the lack of common understanding of norms and standards for registration and conflicting by-laws. Clearly there is no reliable data or reliable data base within government departments and between government departments GAP – Who is responsible for ensuring adequate stimulation programs for under 4’s; and what is the implication of Revised Children’s Act – registration as an Educational Program. 6.Capacity building: duplication and fragmentation has also affected the capacity building of ECD stakeholders and service recipients 7. Investment and resource mobilisation: this is lacking and requires reviewing

11. BACKGROUND The National Cabinet challenged Provinces to consider ways on integrating ECD services. The Cabinet Memo of November 2004 set the scene for the integration of ECD activities. It proposed a mechanism that will function as a coordinating structure within government, which will work collaboratively with all stakeholders in the interest of ECD as a whole. The Gauteng Provincial Government endorsed this by developing The GPG ECD Strategy The Early Childhood Development Institute (ECDI) was then established, to promote best outcomes for birth to four years.

12. THE GAUTENG PROVINCIAL ECD STRATEGY The development of the strategy and the establishment of the ECDI, is envisioning, that the key targets of the strategy will address the challenges to 2014 and Beyond THE GPG ECD STRATEGY : (LEGISLATION) Will ensure well targeted ECD interventions to address social inequality Will give poorest children a better start in life Will ensure that ECD programmes benefit all children The strategy defines the role of the ECDI

13. KEY TARGETS OF THE GPG ECD STRATEGY 1.The creation of an enabling environment for expanding access to quality ECD services throughout the province 2.The creation of a safe, secure and conducive physical environment for expanding quality ECD service throughout the Province to Increase access to registered ECD sites that meet appropriate standards 3. Take into cognizance of the overall child health and well being, with particular emphasis on learners vulnerability due to poverty related factors 4.The development of high quality ECD practices which prepares learners for a smooth entry into primary schooling 5. Information is available to the public and all relevant stakeholders at multiple-levels 6. Striving to ensure ECD services within the province, effectively planned managed and coordinated

14. 14 ROLES OF THE ECDI Mapping, monitoring & evaluation and feedback for increased access & quality Information to public Research Secretariat – consultation, quality management, regulatory framework. ECDI to enhance integration and differentiated functions of role players

15. 15 UPDATE ON PROJECTS TO DATE  ECDI embarked on Verification and Mapping Process of all ECD Sites in Gauteng: The objective is to verify all registered sites. Find and list unregistered sites. Also list number of practitioners, number of learners, current programmes, resources etc.

16. Current Status NUMBER OF SITES NUMBER OF PRACTITIONERS NUMBER OF LEARNERS 4000 CAPTURED 10 55282 500 752 COMMUNITY BASED SITES 7864/5 YR OLDS 2713 5/6 YR OLDS 1936 2658 HOME BASED SITES 225 PRIVATE ECD SITES

17.  The Integrated Monitoring Framework and Evaluation Tool for ECD Services: ( Implement a joint plan with the Department of Social Development to establish a database of subsidized centres towards improving access)  The Integrated Data Mart has been established. The data capturers are testing at the moment. All the information collected from the Verification and Mapping and the fieldwork of The Integrated Monitoring Framework and Evaluation Tool, will be captured into this system UPDATE ON PROJECTS

18. Birth to Four Curriculum, Facilitators Manual Finalised:  A Pilot conducted in 10 sites, research report available  Recommendation report available on roll out.  MGSLG( Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance)will conduct roll out  ECDI will work very closely with MGSLG on management plan UPDATE ON PROJECTS TO DATE

19. LEARN NOT TO BURN PROGRAMME  Phase 1 Pilot – Gateway School  Phase 2 Pilot – 6 Special Schools and a Full Service School with Grade R, ECD Site  Finalised for Integration and Roll out  MGSLG will be facilitating this process, in very close collaboration with the ECDI

20. UPDATE ON PROJECTS TO DATE FORUMS  NGO Forum  University Forum  Municipality Forum  Interdepartmental Forum

21.  A Research Project focusing on ECD Learners with Special Needs ( What Little Children Need to grow, A manual, want to pilot it in 9 ECD sites and then develop a referral system.  The establishment of 5 Toy Libraries across the Province OTHER PROJECTS

22.  The Development of a Single Regulatory Framework for ECD, Approved by DAC(Departmental Acquisition Council), but awaiting way forward.  The Development of an Implementation Plan for Norms and Standards for ECD sites OTHER PROJECTS

23.  ECD Imbizo’s / Awareness Days  One-Stop-Shops  The Development and Establishing a Website  Call Centre – Link to GPG call centre OTHER PROJECTS

24. Pre-Grade R: Training 0-4 Years Coordinate the training of ECD practitioners for skills development through the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP). 1. Currently 1940 in training at MGSLG 2. Next cohort to be registered. 3.Birth to Four Curriculum to be rolled out. Practitioners will be trained to implement

25. MOVING FORWARD TO 2014  The Implementation of the Norms and Standards of ECD sites and subsequent registration of sites.  The Streamlining and Development of a Single ECD regulatory Framework A full scale audit and analysis of all legislation The development of a single regulatory framework  The development of equitable Funding Strategies and Models for ECD centres (As reported the Gauteng Provincial Govt makes use of the subsidy based model, currently)

26. MOVING FORWARD TO 2014  The registration of 1000 additional ECD sites in the Province by 2014  To construct new ECD facilities in the 20 PTP (Prioritized Township) and additional prioritized areas, to accommodate more pre- school children (DHSD)  Ensure that the 50 poorest wards are considered with regard to prioritization of ECD sites, registration, training etc. (DHSD)

27. MOVING FORWARD TO 2014  The centralized availability of data for monitoring and evaluation which will provide invaluable support to the different role players in the sector and will ensure that an integrated package of coherent services is available to every ECD site and every child in the province:  (An established and functional integrated data mart)

28. MOVING FORWARD TO 2014  The training 10 000 Pre-Grade R Practitioners by 2014 to at least NQF 5 and the payment of stipends.

29. FOOD FOR THOUGHT  Early childhood is a crucial time in our lives. It is a time when, ideally, children are nurtured physically, mentally and spiritually. Their experiences in each of these dimensions shape their lives. A child whose health, wellbeing and intellect are protected and stimulated has a strong platform for a happy, successful and balanced life.  The ECDI’s role is to ensure that Early Childhood Education is enhanced, accessible and that acceptable quality standards are attained to improve the health and well being of our little children in Gauteng.

30. 30