SmartStart South Africa

South African Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana will present the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement #MTBPS this afternoon - the first under the Government of National Unity #GNU. Below is our brief outlook on what the #MTBPS2024 could mean for early childhood development #ECD and what we, along with our partners at Real Reform for ECD, are asking for. The #MTBPS2024 will be the first time that the GNU has had to put its money where its mouth is and decide how to spend our limited public resources. The success of the GNU will be determined by the performance of the #economy in creating jobs and reducing inequality, but this is not achievable while #austeritymeasures remain in place.  Daniel McLaren Laura Droomer Zoë Postman Tshepo Mantjé DG Murray Trust Grow Great Campaign SmartStart South Africa #SouthAfrica #development

In South Africa, 29% of children under five are stunted, while obesity rates have surged from 13% to 23% since 2016, with only 44.5% of four- to five-year-olds in early learning programmes meeting developmental milestones. Additionally, 71% of children under the age of six live below the upper-bound poverty line, exacerbating nutrition challenges. Investing in early childhood nutrition is crucial for promoting physical growth, cognitive function, and long-term health. Proper nutrition not only supports brain development and academic performance but also reduces the risk of chronic diseases later in life. Prioritising these investments can break the cycle of poverty and malnutrition, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to a prosperous future... https://bit.ly/3Yk2ZX9

This World Inclusion Day, we recognise the estimated 400,000 to 600,000 children in South Africa who live with disabilities - many of whom lack access to education. It is crucial that we ensure these children have the opportunity to learn, play, and belong. The value of early learning cannot be overstated; it lays the foundation for a child's future success. By providing support from an early age, these children can be empowered to reach their full social and academic potential. Collaborative efforts across all sectors - government, businesses, and communities - to create inclusive environments where every child can thrive, are therefore necessary to make a difference. Shonaquip Social Enterprise #EmpowerEveryChild #WorldInclusionDay #EarlyLearning #SmartStart

On World Habitat Day, we emphasise the critical need for quality early learning environments that prioritise the wellbeing of all children. Every child deserves a safe place to explore, play and learn. As we work to close the early learning access gap in South Africa, we urge all stakeholders—government, corporates, and communities—to recognise the vital role of home and community-based venues in providing safe and happy spaces for early learning. We welcome the government's commitment to reviewing the Norms and Standards in our Children's Act to ensure they are inclusive and realistic for every community. This means recognising the wide diversity of spaces that can offer stimulating activities, nurture and care, and nutritious meals - and thereby supporting every ECD programme to be part of the regulatory framework, and to grow and improve.

Strategic partnerships are essential to the SmartStart network's foundation as we continue to expand our initiatives with the goal of impacting one million children by 2030. We are excited to announce the successful launch of our partnership with the Project Preparation Trust in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal. To date, the SmartStart programme has reached 2,804 children and created employment opportunities for 290 women who deliver this vital programme, in the eThekwini Municipality, as a result of this partnership. As we move forward, we remain committed to fostering collaborations that enhance early learning access and quality with suitable partners. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of South Africa's children and empower local communities along the way. We are thankful to all our partners for the unwavering support in this important mission.

The latest from the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship: A compelling series of case studies that feature 14 social enterprises, including SmartStart, that leverage innovation to tackle an array of social and environmental challenges. An estimated 30 million to 40 million social entrepreneurs exist around the globe, accounting for close to $2 trillion of global GDP. These organisations are united in their innovative yet deeply pragmatic approach to blend social goals with financial incentives to achieve and scale social impact.    SmartStart in the spotlight: Approximately 1.3 million children in South Africa aged 3-4 do not have access to early childhood education (ECD), while a further two million children in the same age group attend programmes in unregistered centres. SmartStart addresses this gap by using a social franchise model to deliver quality ECD services across all nine provinces. With support from private funders and the South African government, SmartStart has grown to include over 10,000 ECD centre owners, serving more than 80,000 children weekly.      Key innovation activities: Evidence-based curriculum: Development of research-backed programmes to improve learning outcomes. Quality operations: Building a trusted brand as a resource for ECD operators. Advocacy: Working with government to inform supportive ECD policy.   Challenges and learning points: SmartStart operates in resource-constrained environments where families struggle with costs. Following community feedback, the SmartStart model shifted from minimal playgroup to sessions that offered full-week programmes that include early childhood care and education. Ensuring quality at scale remains a challenge but, SmartStart is committed to refining its support systems.    This series offers deep insights into the unique innovation activities of each organisation, the challenges they face, and the lessons learned along the way. Developed in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO as part of the Global Innovation Index 2024, these case studies highlight the crucial role of innovation in building a better future. Explore the full series and learn how social enterprises like SmartStart are transforming the world through innovation. #SmartStart #EarlyLearning #SocialImpact #SocialInnovation #SocialEnterprises #SocialEntrepreneurship https://lnkd.in/g28FxkuC

SmartStart CEO Grace Matlhape and Kulula Manona, Chief Director for Foundations for Learning in the Department of Basic Education, participated in a plenary panel at the Co-Impact event themed "Partnering with Government to Drive Impact at Scale” during the UN General Assembly. This event, part of "Achieving Large Scale Change: A Celebration of Impact,” showcased the vital work being done by the South African government to drive meaningful change and improve educational outcomes. Key discussion points included: 1. Overview of ECD in South Africa: The current landscape and key challenges in early childhood development (ECD). 2. Partnership dynamics: The motivations behind the collaboration between SmartStart and the Department of Basic Education. 3. Building understanding: The importance of trust, human relationships, and leadership in tackling challenges. 4. Funding needs: The necessity for long-term, flexible funding that supports programmatic growth and strengthens organisations. Their insights reinforced how collaboration between social enterprises and government can lead to significant, scalable impact in education. #SmartStart #DBE #CoImpact #IlifaLabantwana

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The great thing about the SmartStart programme is not only that it can be replicated with ease, but it is also easily adaptable to local contexts, thus ensuring the inclusion of every child in the learning process. Given South Africa’s diverse cultural landscape, it is important that cultural practices are a part of the programme. This enables children to develop a strong sense of cultural awareness through which they can build a positive sense of identity and self-esteem. On this Heritage Day - and every other day, teach them where they come from through dance, food, games, music, songs and stories.

In the SmartStart network, our Week of the Stars Conference is a time to reflect on our growth, the challenges of building a network, and to collectively share and learn with our network of Franchisors across the country. All this with a single objective: to build a robust movement to close the early learning access gap. Watch the highlights from the conference held in Johannesburg in August. 3L DEVELOPMENT NGO, ELRU (Early Learning Resource Unit), Khululeka, Knysna Education Trust, Lesedi Educare Association , LETCEE, Lima Rural Development Foundation, Little Seeds, Penreach NGO, Project Preparation Trust, Siyakholwa Development Foundation, SAYM Movement, SmartStart South Africa #WeekofStars #SmartStart