Urgent Call to expand ECD Access as 1.3 million children remain excluded.

Sibongile Mofokeng joins Nikki Lopes to discuss the urgent need to expand Early Childhood Development (ECD) access in South Africa, where about 1.3 million children are still excluded from early learning programs. Despite some progress, only around 32-36% of children aged 0-5 are enrolled in ECD programs, with many facilities remaining unregistered and underfunded. The 2025 National Budget increased subsidies and plans to cover an additional 700,000 children, but funding still falls short of what’s needed for quality care. South Africa’s 2030 Strategy aims for universal access to quality ECD, focusing on vulnerable children and expecting up to 95% enrollment by age five. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for more investment, infrastructure, and support to ensure all children can access early learning opportunities.