Newsletter

2024-2027

An Early Start for Bright Futures

© SmartStart

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2024-2027

SmartStart

SmartStart works to close the gap in access to quality early learning for all children in South Africa and beyond. The organisation believes in the transformative power of early learning to shape a brighter future not only for children, but for women, families and the entire nation. Since 2015, SmartStart’s evidence-based early learning programme has been delivered by an expanding network of practitioners, specially recruited, trained and licenced by SmartStart and its partners. To date, its 18,000 practitioners have reached 266,000 early learners in South Africa.

CHALLENGE

Over 1.6 million South African children aged three to five – particularly those in under-resourced communities – lack access to crucial early childhood learning programmes. The early years are a critical developmental window for building the cognitive, social, emotional and language skills that directly impact a child’s future learning and life success.

© SmartStart

ACTION

SmartStart addresses the lack of affordable, quality early learning programmes in South Africa through a multi-faceted approach.

First, SmartStart implements a child-centred, play-based curriculum designed for three-to five-year olds, which fosters learning, school performance and overall success in life.

Second, SmartStart recognises the importance of local involvement by recruiting, training and licensing practitioners – mostly women – from the local communities served.

This approach increases access to its learning programmes and creates sustainable employment opportunities in its communities.

IMPACT

18,000
+

early learner practitioners

recruited, trained and supported since 2015

266,000
+

early learners reached

65
%

of children

who attend a SmartStart programme are developmentally on track for their age according to the Early Learning Outcome Measures (compared with only 32% for kids that are not in the programme)

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