Delivering Integrated Early Childhood Education and Development Through Family in Focus: A South African Case

Introduction

There is sufficient evidence for the need of early childhood education and development as an academic foundation for societal prosperity (Albino & Berry, 2013; UNICEF, 2014). As the building block for a sound educational system, early childhood development is fundamental in improving the learners’ results (Twenty Year Review, South Africa, 1994-2014). This was reiterated by Hall (2015) who argued that education is a central socio-economic right that has the potential to build the foundation for life-long learning and economic opportunities. Access to quality early education is the pathway to further educational grades. Investment in early childhood education through Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres is key for any society wishing to prevent the escalation of poverty and unemployment (Hendricks, 2018). Early childhood development interventions protect children against the effects of poverty, poor nutrition, inadequate health care and a lack of education (Van der Gaag & Putcha, 2015). Effects of ECD programmes on South Africa include a more productive society, improved socio-economic circumstances and social cohesion, all of which in turn, counter the cycle of poverty.

In the developing world alone, there are over 200 million children who are in need of immediate early childhood development interventions (Van der Gaag & Putcha, 2015). South African schools have contributed toward reproducing an unequal society despite having an extended education programme for pre-school and early childhood development centres (Therborn, 2019). In spite of efforts to expand Early Childhood Development to poor children, the sector is still confronted with multiple challenges (Hendricks, 2019; Saba, 2019). These challenges, however, continue to undermine the quality of Early Childhood Development as a fundamental building block of a more equal education system in South Africa (25 Year Review, 2019). The National Development Plan (2011, p. 300) highlight that the quality and coverage of early childhood development services for children ages 0 to 4 are very poor. Quality of ECD in South Africa’s poor and disadvantaged communities such as rural areas, townships and informal settlements is undermined by the prevalence of poverty, unemployment and inequalities (Saba, 2019). Thus, the lack of access and quality provision of early childhood development services reinforce each other in building a fragmented foundation phase for children to progress socially and academically.

It is against this background, this chapter explores the potential of home-based early childhood education in democratizing the ECD sector, especially for poor children residing in disadvantaged communities. The Family in Focus (FIF) programme has been used as a case study to determine non-centre ECD as one of the options in accessing good quality early childhood education and development. Additionally, to evaluate the opportunities and challenges facing Family in Focus in Western Cape’s townships, informal communities and impoverished where FIF programme is being implemented. Questions such as 1) what is FIF? 2) what are the ECD opportunities available through FIF for poor and disadvantaged children? 3) what are the challenges or disadvantages affecting the smooth functioning of FIF in delivery early childhood development? 4) how do such challenges influence the efficacy of FIF as optional early childhood development? 5) what role and support are provided by Early Childhood Development stakeholders for non-centre ECD such as FIF? and finally, 6) what are the possible recommendations to improve the effective functioning of the FIF programme?