New thinking on 0-4 provisioning- Integrated approach PAT MOODLEY Together Educating the Nation

Background (i) Remit for an Integrated ECD Strategy- improve access and ensure integrated service delivery at site level At site level- address child poverty, childhood illnesses, nutritional needs of children and psychosocial support Integrated services- assist poor vulnerable neglected children to develop their full potential DoE- provide education stimulation and school readiness programmes

Together Educating the Nation Background (ii) DSD- Responsible for the registration of centres DSD: Monitoring compliance of centres with norms and standards as prescribed in the children’s Act. DSD: maintaining a database of ECD centre/programmes DSD: provision of subsidy to community based ECD centres- nutrition, stipends and administrative overheads DoH- immunize children against childhood diseases and measles Key stakeholders- DoE, DSD, DoH and Office of Premier- need to work collaboratively

Together Educating the Nation Rationale Four core major childhood threats: Poor health, malnourishment, limited psychosocial care and stimulation and inadequate protection Need for a ECD coordinating structure/ECD institute- that is accountable to administrative and political principals Closes the gaps, silences and contradictions in ECD legislative frameworks Department’s policies are contradictory in nature There is a need to develop one coherent ECD policy on the following: –Registration requirements –Practitioner-learner ratios –Funding of ECD centres –Support and Monitoring –Advocacy

Together Educating the Nation Need for a Coordinating ECD structure Equitable share funding- DSD, DoE and DoH Points of converge is advocacy, support and monitoring, funding provided to centres and registration of centres Accomplish more with funds than the current silo approach that is latent with duplicatory ECD institute/coordinating structure- staffed with experienced personnel to focus on integrated and collaborative ECD services

Together Educating the Nation Multi-sectoral networking Proposed- shared responsibility approach model Sharing of different expertise and resources More resources are brought to the table A more integrative service delivery for children. Integrative service delivery- yields gains in terms of cost effectiveness Achieve more with ECD spend- prevent duplication and overlapping of services

Together Educating the Nation Challenges in Multi-sectoral collaboration –absence of clear allocation of responsibility and accountability mechanisms – insufficient mechanisms for integration – budget allocations may be small – implementation weak –service delivery on the ground patchy. – Inter-Departmental conflict (Who is appointed lead department)

Together Educating the Nation Policy options Memorandums of Agreements needs to be signed Committing their intent to second officials Allocate seed money towards the establishment of the ECDI. Initially one department leads The Institute need to have the responsibility to make funding decisions. Designing an Institute in user friendly way- this way makes it easier to develop and implement policies and reduces some inefficiency.

Together Educating the Nation Indicators of joint planning Indicator: Integrated planning is regular and inclusive Measure: The number of integrated collaborative planning meetings held per year Indicator: Integrated planning and collaboration are prioritized Measure: The number of scheduled/unscheduled and cancelled meetings per year Indicator: Effectiveness of integrated planning and collaboration Measure: The number of minuted implemented decisions Indicator: An operational plan for the co-ordination and monitoring of the integrated comprehensive programme Measure: An agreed operational plan together with indicators for process monitoring and impact. Plan is reviewed

Together Educating the Nation Family status level The status of the family/Primary Caregiver – Criteria: Accessibility and Inclusivity of support services quality, effectiveness and range of support services Quality and effectiveness of care and protection of children Integration and partnership with stakeholders supporting ECD

Together Educating the Nation Community level The status of community care, stimulation and support – Criteria: Accessibility and Inclusivity of support services quality, effectiveness and range of support services Quality and effectiveness of care and protection of children Integration and partnership with stakeholders supporting ECD

Together Educating the Nation Formal ECD services The status of Formal ECD service provision Criteria Accessibility and Inclusivity of ECD centres Quality, effectiveness and range of services for ECD centres Quality, effectiveness and range of services for care and protection provided by ECD centres Integration, partnerships and collaboration with stakeholders supporting ECD centres.

Together Educating the Nation Focus areas for consideration Development and expansion of ECD services for children in 0-6 cohort Enhancement of inclusive programme- cater for special needs children Conceptualize the following: Early Learning Standards, and Integrated Programme Management Advocacy and social mobilization Documentation of innovative practices Development of Research Agenda Developing provincial contextual implementation plan

Together Educating the Nation Focus areas for consideration Registration of births Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses, Promoting healthy pregnancy, birth and infancy Immunisation of young children Micronutrient supplementation for children Nutritional and Parent Education Growth Monitoring Promotion Monitor child development in different domains Delineating the role of the different provincial departments Selecting age and culturally appropriate resources Workshopping 0-4 practitioners on Curriculum guidelines Providing on-site support and monitoring visits

Together Educating the Nation THANK YOU!