Crèche Role in ECD

Importance and Benefits of Early Childhood Development
"The central role of early childhood development (ECD) to reduce socio-economic inequality is broadly accepted in South Africa. Yet, every year, signifcant numbers of poor children begin school lagging behind their wealthier peers. Half will have dropped out before fnishing secondary school. The numbers are staggering when aggregated over a generation. These children are chronically underpowered to fully participate in the economy and society from the very start...."

"Early childhood experiences are particularly important in shaping the development of the brain. Experiences that matter most in terms of early learning include everyday interactions between the child and their primary caregivers, as well as the child’s exposure to formal and informal group-based learning opportunities with peers."

Source: SOUTH AFRICAN EARLY CHILDHOOD REVIEW 2019, https://ilifalabantwana.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/SA-ECR_2019_12_09_2019_online_pages.pdf

"The first five years of a child’s life are the most important because that is the period of time when the human brain is growing fastest and is most responsive to its environment, care and opportunities for learning. During this period, not only does the brain learn best but the neurological foundations are also established for lifelong learning. Experiences during early childhood shape the architecture of the developing brain.

"Children who are nourished and nurtured in their earliest years, and who have opportunities for learning in the home and in ELPs, are more likely to start school On Track in key areas of development.

"Starting school On Track sets children up for greater success.

"Research reviewed for this study has consistently found that by 4 to 5 years of age, language and mathematics skills, executive functioning, fine motor coordination and visual motor integration are predictive of children’s performance in the Foundation Phase of their schooling. Social and emotional development are both predictive of adjustment to school and to achievements in the primary phase."

Source: Thrive by Five Index Report, https://www.thrivebyfive.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Thrive-by-Five-Index-report-Revised-August-2022-FINAL.pdf

"Centre-based services have been shown to improve children’s cognitive ability and help prepare them for school."

Source: Development of an Investment Case for EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT in South Africa: Prioritizing Investments in Early Childhood Development; https://www.unicef.org/esa/media/9821/file/UNICEF-South-Africa-Investcase-for-ECD-2016.pdf

"The first one thousand days in a child’s life could hold the key to unlocking his/her life-long potential. By the age of 5, almost 90% of a child’s brain will be developed. These are the formative years where factors such as adequate healthcare, good nutrition, good quality childcare and nurturing, a clean and safe environment, early learning and stimulation will, to a large extent, influence his/her future as an adult."

Source: Investing in early childhood development is the future; https://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=10950

"Early childhood development brings benefits such as enthusiasm for education, communication skills, ability to interact with others and so much more. Children are trained at a young age to be receptive to education and to have more capabilities. Children who attend crèche at a young age usually get ahead of their peers in future. They are mentally active with emotional intelligence that is at a higher level."

Source: The significant benefits of early childhood development; https://www.skillsportal.co.za/content/significant-benefits-early-childhood-development