Advocates for teacher and children’s rights say the findings of the latest Thrive by Five Index — the largest survey of preschoolers’ outcomes — is an urgent wake-up call about the state of early childhood development in South Africa.
Conducted every three years, the index tracks national progress and highlights areas where urgent change is needed to ensure all children can reach their full potential. In 2024, 5,000 four-year-old children enrolled in 1,388 Early Learning Programmes (ELPs) across nine provinces were assessed.
The findings confirm that too many young children in South Africa start school without the skills needed to succeed in the foundation phase and beyond.
The 2024 Index offers a clear overview of how young children are developing in three key areas: early learning, social-emotional functioning and physical growth (stunting). Key findings include:
- Less than half are on track for early learning: only 42% of children enrolled in ELPs are on track; 28% are falling behind, and 30% are falling far behind.
- Girls do better than boys: 48% of enrolled girls are on track compared to 37% of boys.
- The poorest children are struggling most: children in ELPs charging less than R50 per month are half as likely to be developmentally on track as their peers in high fee ELPs (charging more than R1,690 per month).
- Non-enrolment compounds risk for poor children: outcomes were even more concerning for those not attending ELPs. Only 18% of the 272 non-enrolled children in the sub-study were developmentally on track, and 55% were falling far behind.
Basil Manuel, executive director of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), believes children who start school without the right foundations struggle throughout the system, widening inequality and threatening South Africa’s future workforce.
He said the findings are an urgent wake-up call about the state of early childhood development (ECD).
“The minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, confirmed that the department has secured R10bn from Treasury to strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education [ECCE] programmes, but effective implementation and monitoring will be critical.
“This allocation, however, remains woefully inadequate given the scale of need, more investment and support will be required to ensure the successful rollout and sustainability of ECCE.”
Manuel said the findings demand “that life be given to the provisions of the South African Schools Act as amended by Bela”.
“We must be more intentional to bring grade R to every community, because investing in our future begins with investing in all our community ECCEs.”
The data makes clear that the crisis facing our young children from birth to five years old cannot be solved by the department of basic education alone. Children’s outcomes are shaped by the interplay of nutrition, health, home environments, safety and security, and early learning quality from birth
— Tshepo Mantjé of RR4ECD
He said Naptosa has committed itself to ensuring that ECCE practitioners are recognised as professionals, properly remunerated and supported through continuous training and development.
“We will champion the empowerment of women leaders in the sector, push for better resourcing of underserved communities, and hold government accountable for the timely and effective use of funds allocated to early learning.”
Real Reform for ECD’s (RR4ECD), a movement advocating for the reform of ECD in South Africa, said the index “confirms what many of us already know: our poorest children continue to be denied an equal opportunity to thrive”.
“The 2024 index makes it clear that inequality in South Africa is already shaping children’s futures before they even enter school. Children in high-fee early learning programmes [ELPs] are twice as likely to be developmentally on track than those in low-fee ELPs. These disparities demonstrate how poverty and fees act as structural barriers that prevent poor children from reaching their full potential,” said Tshepo Mantjé of RR4ECD.
“The index confirms that access alone is not enough. Fewer than half [42%] of enrolled four-year-olds are developmentally on track. This means that even though children are in ELPs, less than half are meeting their milestones, showing that quality matters just as much as access. This amplifies call for holistic, quality and inclusive services that do more than open the door; they unlock potential.”
Mantjé said the index also highlights that nutrition remains a major barrier.
“Nearly 7% of enrolled four-year-olds are moderately or severely stunted, while another 25% show signs of mild stunting.
“Stunting is not only about physical growth; it sets children back months in learning and undermines their readiness for school. The 2024 Index only shows a fraction of the full picture. It assesses four-year-olds attending centres, where around 90% already receive at least one meal a day. In reality, the rates of stunting across all young children are significantly higher.
“The data makes clear that the crisis facing our young children from birth to five years old cannot be solved by the department of basic education alone. Children’s outcomes are shaped by the interplay of nutrition, health, home environments, safety and security, and early learning quality from birth.
“We believe this demands strong intersectoral co-ordination and collaboration, across government departments, municipalities, the private sector, NGOs and communities, so that young children receive the comprehensive support they need to thrive.
“If we are serious about breaking the cycles of poverty and inequality in South Africa, then we must see early childhood development as one of the most powerful levers we have. Children thrive when systems enable them to thrive. No child should be doomed by the circumstances of their birth.”
RR4ECD called on government to take bold action:
- Expand access: ensure every young child, including children with special needs, in poor and vulnerable communities, can access quality and holistic early learning.
- Spend the money: ensure that ECD budgets, including the recent R10bn investment in ECD over three years, is spent quickly and transparently.
- Pay the subsidies: pay the R24 per child per day subsidy consistently, on time and without bureaucratic delays to all eligible ELPs.
- Tackle stunting: ensure that ELPs with bronze level registration through the Bana Pele Mass Registration Drive receive nutrition support through a national ECD nutrition programme.
“We all have a crucial role in turning evidence into action. Data must drive advocacy and accountability, ensuring that no child is left behind.”
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