History of ECED services and provisioning in SA from apartheid to contemporary SA. Include the role of government, policies and legislative framework that focus on children's rights and access to quality ECED programs

Answer 1

Before the end of apartheid, Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED) services in South Africa were highly unequal and segregated. The apartheid government provided little to no support for the black population's early education, focusing predominately on white children. After the dismantling of apartheid, the South African government has made significant strides in establishing policies and frameworks to support children's rights and improve access to ECED programs for all children, regardless of race.

During apartheid (1948-1994), early education was segregated along racial lines, with white children enjoying well-funded and high-quality ECED services. In contrast, black children depended on under-funded and low-quality programs provided by churches, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or even untrained individuals, and the government mostly ignored their needs.

With the end of apartheid, South Africa's democratic government introduced a new era for ECED. In 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) identified early childhood development as a priority, beginning a period of significant change in policy and legislation focused on the rights and development of children in the country.

These are some of the key changes implemented by the new government:

1. The South African Constitution (1996) - The Constitution established the Children's Act, which promotes the best interest and rights of children to basic nutrition, healthcare, social services, education, and protection from neglect, abuse, and exploitation.

2. White Paper on Education and Training (1995) - This document recognized the importance of ECED and established responsibilities at different government levels from national to local.

3. National Development Plan (2012) - This plan prioritizes early childhood development, setting targets for expanding access to quality ECED programs.

4. The South African Integrated Programme of Action (1999) - This policy marked the adoption of an integrated approach to providing services to children under the age of six, recognizing the need for multiple sectors (education, health, social services, and others) to work together.

5. The National ECD Policy (2015) - This policy aimed to create a comprehensive and integrated system of early childhood development services, emphasizing the importance of access, equity, quality, and efficiency in early education provision.

6. Framework of National Curriculum Development for children aged 0-4 (2015) - This framework ensures that children's development and learning are supported from birth.

7. Children's Amendment Act (2007) - This legislation expanded the rights and protection of children, including a focus on improving state-funded early childhood development programs.

The South African government also implemented various projects to expand access to ECED programs, targeting vulnerable and marginalized children. One such initiative is the National Integrated Plan for Early Childhood Development, which focuses on improving the quality of education, health, and social services for young children.

In conclusion, the history of ECED services and provisioning in South Africa has seen a significant transformation since the end of apartheid. The new democratic government has focused on promoting children's rights and prioritizing early education and development, with multiple policies and legislative frameworks working towards ensuring access to quality programs for all children. While challenges remain, such as insufficient resources and capacity, the progress achieved has laid the groundwork for a more equitable and supportive ECED environment in contemporary South Africa.