The history of early childhood education development services and provisioning in SA from apartheid to contemporary in SA. Include the role of government, policies and legislative framework that focus on children's right and access to quality Early childhood education development programmes
During apartheid, early childhood education development services in South Africa were racially segregated and lacked adequate funding and resources for black children. The government at the time did not prioritize early childhood education for black children, resulting in a large disparity in access to quality programs between different racial groups.
Following the end of apartheid in the early 1990s, the South African government began implementing reforms to address the historical inequalities in the education system, including early childhood education. The government recognized the importance of early childhood education in laying the foundation for future learning and development, and began to prioritize the expansion and improvement of early childhood education programs.
The South African government has since introduced several policies and legislative frameworks to ensure access to quality early childhood education for all children in the country. The National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy, adopted in 2015, outlines the government's commitment to providing comprehensive early childhood development services, including health, nutrition, education, and social services, to all children in the country.
The South African Schools Act of 1996 also includes provisions for the establishment and regulation of early childhood development programs, including registration requirements and quality standards. Additionally, the National Curriculum Framework for Children from Birth to Four Years, introduced in 2015, provides guidelines for early childhood education curricula and pedagogy.
The government has also established the South African Early Childhood Development Forum, which serves as a platform for collaboration between government, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders in the early childhood education sector. The forum works to advocate for increased funding and resources for early childhood education programs, as well as to promote professional development and training for early childhood educators.
Overall, the South African government has made significant strides in expanding access to quality early childhood education programs and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to receive a strong foundation for learning and development. However, challenges still remain, including inadequate funding, unequal access to quality programs, and the need for ongoing improvements in the quality of early childhood education provision in the country.