Mapping of Earning Pathways in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Sector
Early childhood development (ECD) practitioners are a critical cadre in the ECD workforce, providingearly care and learning opportunities to young children in South Africa through a variety of deliveryplatforms, and engaging parents to support them in creating a nurturing and stimulating homeenvironment. The primary form of state funding for early learning programmes is a means-tested, per-child subsidy. Most practitioners are employed in the non-profit sector or private, small businessenterprises. Based on the 2021 ECD census, most practitioners employed in non-profit and privateearly learning programmes have not obtained a basic ECD qualification; this is true of staff in 61% ofsubsidised, compared to 66% of staff in unsubsidised ECD centres. This scenario is also impacted bypoor workforce retention of qualified ECD staff, primarily due to poor working conditions includinglow earnings.
This report responds to key learning questions focused on available skilling and development programmes, the training providers, and the earning pathways in relation to qualifications, and thesignificant stakeholders involved. Finally, the report considers key drivers resulting in the actualearnings of ECD practitioners and provides concluding remarks and recommendations.
