History of early childhood education development services and provisioning in SA from apartheid to contemporary SA include the role of policies
Prior to the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994, early childhood education (ECE) was severely underdeveloped and segregated along racial lines. The apartheid government had no policies or provisions for ECE for black children, who were often left to fend for themselves while their parents worked in mines or on farms. White children, on the other hand, had access to well-funded and well-equipped ECE facilities.
After the end of apartheid, the new government made significant efforts to address the disparities in ECE provision. The 1996 Constitution of South Africa included provisions for the rights of children to education, and the government began to develop policies and programs to improve ECE for all children in the country.
In 2001, the South African government adopted the National Policy Framework for Early Childhood Development, which aimed to provide universal access to quality ECE services for children aged 0-4. The policy emphasized the importance of holistic development, including health, nutrition, education, and social support.
In 2005, the government launched the National Integrated Plan for Early Childhood Development, which focused on improving the quality of ECE services through training for ECE practitioners, increasing access to ECE facilities, and promoting community involvement in ECE provision.
In recent years, the South African government has continued to prioritize ECE as a key component of education and social development. The government has increased funding for ECE programs, expanded access to ECE services in underserved communities, and implemented quality standards for ECE facilities.
Despite these efforts, there are still challenges in the provision of ECE services in South Africa, including a lack of qualified ECE practitioners, inadequate funding for ECE programs, and disparities in access to ECE facilities between urban and rural areas. However, the government's continued commitment to improving ECE provision and the implementation of policies aimed at addressing these challenges are steps in the right direction towards ensuring that all children in South Africa have access to quality early childhood education.