Department of Social Development

AN INTEGRATED EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF ACTION

FOR– MOVING AHEAD 2013 -2018.

PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 11 JUNE 2013

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OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION

• Purpose of the Presentation

• Background

• An Integrated ECD Programme of Action- Moving Ahead 2013-2018.

• Conclusion

• Recommendations

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PURPOSE OF THE PRESENTATION

• To make a presentation on An Integrated ECD Programme of Action - Moving Ahead 2013-2018 to the Portfolio Committee on Social Development.

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BACKGROUND• The Department of Social Development, in collaboration with the ECD Sector

launched an awareness campaign to promote ECD in local communities. The purpose of the campaign is to promote Early Childhood Development in South Africa and to ensure that all South Africans commit themselves in supporting the implementation of Early Childhood Development services in the country.

• As part of concurrent review processes of ECD, Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency (DPME) and the Inter-Departmental Steering Committee on Early Childhood Development commissioned a Diagnostic Review of the prevailing Early Childhood Development (ECD) paradigm, current services, human resources, funding and impact. This was the first evaluation under the emerging National Evaluation System led by DPME.

• There were three National activities which impacted on ECD services in South Africa from 2011/2012. These included The Review of the National Integrated Plan for Early Childhood Development, the ECD Diagnostic Review and the ECD Conference Action Plan. The aim of the above was to review ECD services provisioning, coordination and implementation for children, birth to four years in South Africa.

• The above processes were merged into a zero draft “An Integrated ECD Programme of Action-Moving Ahead 2013-2018 ”(Document attached).

Merging of the ECD Action Plan, NIPECD and the Improvement Plan

AN INTEGRATED ECD PROGRAMME OF ACTION -

MOVING AHEAD 2013-2018

The time frames are as follows:•Short Term: April 2013 – March 2014;•Medium Term: April 2014 – March 2016; and•Long Term: April 2016 – March 2018.

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1. LEGISLATION AND POLICY FRAMEWORK

OBJECTIVE TO PROVIDE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR BUILDING STRONG

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS

OUTPUT PRIORITY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY TIMEFRAME BUDGET

1. An ECD policy developed

H Develop an integrated ECD Policy Cost and implement an integrated ECD Policy

DBE, DSD, DoH and DWCPD and DPME led by DSD

Short Term  

2. To develop the National Integrated regulatory framework for ECD

M Conduct an audit on the applicable legislation  Identify the gaps and challenges in the various legislation   

DBE, DSD, DoH and DWCPD and DPME led by DSD

Medium Term

 

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LEGISLATION AND POLICY FRAMEWORK…CONT…

OBJECTIVE TO PROVIDE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR BUILDING STRONG

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS

OUTPUT PRIORITY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY TIME

FRAME

BUDGE

T3. Review all legislation, Regulations, Policy and municipal by-laws pertaining to Early Childhood Development.

M Alignment and harmonisation of the legislation, regulations, policies and municipal by –laws

DSD, DBE, DOHMunicipalitiesDPW, DCOG, DWCPD, NPC

Medium Term

4. Norms and standards for differentiated services, provisioning and funding for ECD reviewed and new norms and standards developed.

H Develop Norms and Standards for differentiated services provisioning and funding for ECD.

DSD, DBE, DOHMunicipalitiesDPWDCOG DWCPD, NPC

Long

Term

 

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LEGISLATION AND POLICY FRAMEWORK….CONT…

OBJECTIVE To provide enabling environment for building strong Early

Childhood Development institutions

OUTPUT PRIORIT

Y L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBI

LITY

TIME

FRAME

BUDGET

5. Amendment of Children’s Act on ECD

H Proposed amendments to legislation on ECD to be included in the Parliamentary legislative programmePromulgation and implementation of the agreed upon legislative amendments

DSD, DBE, DoH and DWCPD, NPC

Short Term

 

6. To develop an Integrated Strategy for the implementation of universal access for children birth to school going age.

M Desktop research on the concept on the universal access to ECD. Complete a cost analysis on the Integrated Strategy Conduct a consultative process on the universal access to ECD services and programmes. Obtain approval on the Integrated Strategy through various interdepartmental structures of government up to Cabinet and the three spheres of government. Effect appropriate legislation amendments. 

DoH DBE DWCPD DPME DPWDCOG DCS National Treasury led by DSDNPC

Long Term

 

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2. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, COORDINATION

AND INTEGRATIONOBJECTIVE Setting up multi-sectoral integration and coordination

OUTPUT PRIORIT

Y L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBI

LITY

TIME

FRAME

BUDGET

7. Feasibility study conducted on options for inter sectoral management and coordination

H Research on the various options of an integrated governance structures such as an ECD Council, ECD Institute, ECD Agency, and integrated ECD Directorates/units in the Department of Health, Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Correctional Services, COGTA Establish an inter sectoral management and coordination mechanism for ECD by April 2014

DSD, DBE DOH DWCPD, COGTA

Short Term

 

8.Interim management and coordination mechanism for ECD established

H Establish an Interim Management Committee on ECD

DSD, DoH DBE DWCPD DPME National Treasury

Short term

 

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3. HUMAN RESOURCES, TRAINING AND CAPACITY

BUILDINGOBJECTIVE BUILDING HUMAN CAPITAL/DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ECD SECTOR IN SOUTH AFRICA

OUTPUT PRIORIT

Y L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBI

LITY

TIME

FRAME

BUDGET

9. Human Resource Development plan for the ECD Sector (Government and ECD service providers) developed and costed.

H Conduct Capacity audit  Establish Posts for government departments Employ Staff by government departments

Led by DBE DOH, DSD DWCPD DPSA

Short Term

10. Improved quality of ECD services through provisioning skills and career pathing for people working with young children and service providers

M Profile levels and category of ECD practitioners and servicesContinued training of ECD Practitioners through the EPWP  Review of qualifications Map learning pathways Review employment practices to improve working conditions Mentoring and coaching Facilitate the establishment of Board to regulate the sector  

Led by DBE & DPWDOH, DSD, Treasury, DWCPD

Medium term

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3. HUMAN RESOURCES, TRAINING AND CAPACITY

BUILDINGOBJECTIVE BUILDING HUMAN CAPITAL/DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ECD SECTOR IN

SOUTH AFRICA

OUTPUT PRIORI

TY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIB

ILITY

TIME

FRAM

E

BUDGE

T

11.Revised National Qualifications Framework which includes career path developed to address gaps

 H Revise the ECD qualifications Approved ECD qualifications Review ECD unit standards   Implement teacher development Strategy for ECD grade R practitioners

DBE (lead) ETDP SETA responsible for managing ECD qualification

s,

DBE (lead), with DSD & DOH, DHET, DWCPD & Service Providers 

Short Term

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3. HUMAN RESOURCES, TRAINING AND CAPACITY

BUILDINGOBJECTIVE BUILDING HUMAN CAPITAL/DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ECD SECTOR IN

SOUTH AFRICA

OUTPUT PRIORITY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILIT

Y

TIME

FRAME

BUDGET

12. Revise the ECD Training programmes for alignment to the comprehensive package and differentiated modalities for ECD Services and compliance to the inclusive policy on disabilities

M Revise learning programmes at all training institutions e.g. FET colleges in place by 1 April 2015

DBE (lead), DoH and DSD DHET, Universities, & CHE, ETDP SETA, Training organisations, DWCPD

Medium Term

13.Improved accredited provisioning of training for ECD practitioners

M Increased number of accredited training service providers

DBE (lead), Quality Assurance Bodies e.g. ETDP SETA and UMALUSI, CHE

Medium

Term

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3. HUMAN RESOURCES, TRAINING AND CAPACITY

BUILDING

OBJECTIVE BUILDING HUMAN CAPITAL/DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ECD SECTOR IN

SOUTH AFRICA

OUTPUT PRIORITY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILIT

Y

TIME

FRAME

BUDGET

14.Integrated professional registration system for ECD practitioners

H Integrated professional registration system for ECD practitioners working with children birth to pre-grade R in place by June 2015.

DBE (lead) DSD, DOH ETDP SETA DWCPD

Short Term

15.Develop a training programme for the ECD Sector on the changed ECD policy

 L Training programme on the amended ECD policy implemented

DBE (lead) DSD DOH ETDP SETA DWCPD

Long term

 

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4. CORE PACK OF COMPREHENSIVE ECD SERVICES

OBJECTIVE AN EXPANDED, STRENGTHENED AND COSTED COMPREHENSIVE

PACKAGE OF SERVICES FOR ECD.

OUTPUT PRIORITY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILIT

Y

TIME

FRAME

BUDGET

16.Develop a comprehensive package of ECD services for children birth to school going age with roles and responsibilities of government departments and other stakeholders.

H Review the current package of services as described in the NIPECD for young children pertaining to ECD services. Describe a comprehensive package of services to ECD Develop and cost an implementation plan for ECD comprehensive package of services. Approval of comprehensive package of ECD services by April 2013

Implement the Comprehensive Package for ECD services

DSD (lead), DBE, DOHDWCPD, SALGA, DWA, DCSHome AffairsCOGTA

Short Term

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4. CORE PACK OF COMPREHENSIVE ECD SERVICESOBJECTIVE AN EXPANDED, STRENGTHENED AND COSTED COMPREHENSIVE

PACKAGE OF SERVICES FOR ECD.

OUTPUT PRIORITY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILIT

Y

TIME

FRAME

BUDGET

17.Develop mechanisms and service delivery model for a comprehensive package of ECD services for children birth to school going, ensuring government provisioning of the obligatory services

 H Service delivery model developed

DSD (lead), DoH, DBE, DHA, DWCPD, Human Settlements,

Short Term

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5. ECD INFRASTRUCTUREOBJECTIVE TO DEVELOP AN INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE POLICY FOR ECD

OUTPUT PRIORI

TY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBIL

ITY

TIME

FRAME

BUD

GET

18. Audit of existing ECD infrastructure provisioning

H Produce an audit report by March 2014 with an Improvement Action Plan Identify models of good practice for differentiated ECD services

DSD (lead), COGTA, SALGAPublic Works, Human Settlements, NDA, DWCPD

Short Term  

19. Develop an integrated infrastructure policy for ECD

H Identify all policies relating to infrastructure on ECD. Compile a list of all applicable policies relating to infrastructure for ECD. Identify the gaps and challenges in the various infrastructure policies. Alignment of the infrastructure policies.Model by-laws on infrastructure developed and circulated to all municipalities by November 2013 Proposed amendments to infrastructure policies on ECD to be included in the Parliamentary legislative programme. Promulgation and implementation of the agreed upon infrastructure policies amendments Develop a rural infrastructure rollout plan for ECD plan

DSD (lead), COGTA, SALGAPublic Works, Human Settlements, NDA, DWCPD

Short Term  

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OBJECTIVE AN EXPANDED, STRENGTHENED AND COSTED COMPREHENSIVE

PACKAGE OF SERVICES FOR ECD.

OUTPUT PRIORITY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILIT

Y

TIME

FRAME

BUDGET

20. Amend and consolidate spatial norms and standards for ECD infrastructure

 M Develop an integrated norms and standards for ECD infrastructure

DSD (lead) COGTA, SALGAPublic Works, Human Settlements, NDA, DWCPD, Municipalities

Medium Term

5. ECD INFRASTRUCTURE

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6. FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS

OBJECTIVE AN ECD SECTOR FUNDING PLAN IS DEVELOPED INCLUDING

CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING MODELS FOR THE PROPOSED SET OF

COMPREHENSIVE ECD SERVICES, ENSURING THAT POOR AND

VULNERABLE CHILDREN, INCLUDING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES,

CAN ACCESS ECD SERVICES.

OUTPUT PRIORITY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILIT

Y

TIME

FRAME

BUDGET

21. Identify and conduct research on all existing funding models

M Identify and conduct research on all existing funding models  Compile a list of all applicable funding models relating to ECD. Identify the gaps and challenges in the various funding models for ECD services.

DSD (lead), DBE, DOHCOGTA, National Treasury, DWCPD

Short Term

Develop a comprehensive funding model with different funding options and mechanisms The new proposed funding model to be included in the Parliamentary legislative programme Implementation of the approved funding model

DSD (lead), DBE, DOHCOGTA, National Treasury, DWCPD

Medium Term

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6. FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS

OBJECTIVE AN ECD SECTOR FUNDING PLAN IS DEVELOPED INCLUDING

CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING MODELS FOR THE PROPOSED SET OF

COMPREHENSIVE ECD SERVICES, ENSURING THAT POOR AND

VULNERABLE CHILDREN, INCLUDING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES,

CAN ACCESS ECD SERVICES.

OUTPUT PRIORITY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILIT

Y

TIME

FRAME

BUDGET

21. Funding policy with differentiated modalities for ECD developed

H ECD funding policy with the cost-benefits of differentCosted ECD service models by November 2013

DSD (lead), National Treasury, DBE, DOH, DWCPD

Short Term

22. Funding norms and standards developed for every modality

H Bench marks available for norms and standards for all services available by May 2013Funding  Norms and Standards available by June 2013 

DSD (lead), DBE DOH, DWCPD

Short Term

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6. FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS

OBJECTIVE AN ECD SECTOR FUNDING PLAN IS DEVELOPED INCLUDING

CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING MODELS FOR THE PROPOSED SET OF

COMPREHENSIVE ECD SERVICES, ENSURING THAT POOR AND

VULNERABLE CHILDREN, INCLUDING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES,

CAN ACCESS ECD SERVICES.

OUTPUT PRIORITY

L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILIT

Y

TIME

FRAME

BUDGET

24. Develop an ECD Sector funding plan

  Develop an ECD Sector Funding

plan

DSD (lead),

DBE DOH

DWCPD,

National

Treasury

 

25.Identify government and private donors to leverage resources for ECD services including children with disabilities.

H increase leverage and lobby for adequate financial and human resources for ECD from Government   

Lead DSD, National Treasury, DWCPD and relevant stakeholders

Short Term

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6. FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIPS

OBJECTIVE AN ECD SECTOR FUNDING PLAN IS DEVELOPED INCLUDING

CONSIDERATION OF FUNDING MODELS FOR THE PROPOSED SET OF

COMPREHENSIVE ECD SERVICES, ENSURING THAT POOR AND

VULNERABLE CHILDREN, INCLUDING CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES,

CAN ACCESS ECD SERVICES.

OUTPUT PRIORIT

Y L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBI

LITY

TIME

FRAME

BUDGE

T26. Strengthening of the existing ECD donor forum for ECD services

H Identify private donors to leverage resources for ECDDevelop Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Donors.

Lead DSD, National Treasury, DWCPD and relevant stakeholders

Short Term

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7. RESEARCH, MONITORING AND EVALUATION

OBJECTIVE DEVELOP AN INTEGRATED MONITORING AND EVALUATION

FRAMEWORK FOR ECD.

OUTPUT PRIORIT

Y L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBI

LITY

TIME

FRAME

BUDGE

T27. Develop an Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation framework for ECD

M Review existing Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and align them with the new integrated ECD Policy. Develop an integrated M&E framework aligned to the new ECD policy. Test the validity and reliability of the integrated Monitoring and Evaluation framework 

DPME (lead), DSD, DOH, DBE DWCPD

Medium to Long term

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8. COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESSOBJECTIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY IMPLEMENTED TO WIDEN KNOWLEDGE

AND AWARENESS OF IMPORTANCE OF ECD AND WHERE SUPPORT IS

AVAILABLE, IN PARTICULAR EARLY IDENTIFICATION, INTERVENTION

AND REFERRAL WHERE NECESSARY.

OUTPUT PRIORIT

Y L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBI

LITY

TIME

FRAME

BUDGE

T28. Develop an integrated inter-sectoral awareness raising and communication strategy.

H Provide public education and raise public awareness on the importance of Early Childhood Development to ensure that all young children have access to quality ECD programmes/services. Inform communities, parents and caregivers about the comprehensive Package of services for ECD and how to access the comprehensive Package of services for ECD. Make the community and all South Africans in general, aware and commit them in supporting the implementation of S.A Integrated Plan of Action for ECD.  Inform communities about the training and opportunities in ECD through Expanded Public Works Programmes.

GCIS (lead), Department of Communicationand SABC, DSD, DWCPD, DBE, DoH   Communications Sub-committee with representatives from all departments under the leadership of the GCIS

Short Term and on going

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8. COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESSOBJECTIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY IMPLEMENTED TO WIDEN KNOWLEDGE

AND AWARENESS OF IMPORTANCE OF ECD AND WHERE SUPPORT IS

AVAILABLE, IN PARTICULAR EARLY IDENTIFICATION, INTERVENTION

AND REFERRAL WHERE NECESSARY.

OUTPUT PRIORIT

Y L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBI

LITY

TIME

FRAME

BUDGE

T29. Communication materials developed

M Communicate key messages through Media (radio, television, print media)

Communications Sub-committee with representatives from all departments under the leadership of the GCIS

Medium

term

30.Advocacy, Communications and Social Mobilisation Campaign implemented.

M Plan advocacy communication and social mobilisation Campaign

DSD (lead), DBE DOH GCIS, DWCPD

Medium

Term

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8. COMMUNICATION AND AWARENESSOBJECTIVE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY IMPLEMENTED TO WIDEN KNOWLEDGE

AND AWARENESS OF IMPORTANCE OF ECD AND WHERE SUPPORT IS

AVAILABLE, IN PARTICULAR EARLY IDENTIFICATION, INTERVENTION

AND REFERRAL WHERE NECESSARY.

OUTPUT PRIORIT

Y L/M/H

ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILI

TY

TIME

FRAME

BUDGE

T31. ECD Annual Awards held

H Preparations for the 10th ECD Annual awards

Communications sub-committee - GCIS

Short

Term

32. Roll out of the ICT Strategy for Children

M Roll out of ICT Strategy to ECD children in rural areas.

Department of Communications (lead) GCIS, DSD, DBE, DOH, DWCPD, COGTA, SALGA, DCS

Medium

Term

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Conclusion

• This is an integrated programme of Action which requires the commitment of all governments departments, stakeholders and the broader ECD sector in realising the objectives of building a better future for the young children in SA.

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RECOMMENDATION

• The Portfolio committee on Social Development take note of the presentation made on the integrated ECD Programme of Action - Moving Ahead

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THANK YOU

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