South Africa’s child development crisis is more severe and widespread than previously understood. According to new research, no municipality in the country provides the full package of essential services that young children need to grow and thrive, from adequate nutrition and healthcare to safe water and quality early learning. These insights are explored in a recent op-ed published in the Daily Maverick.
Dr Grace Leach, a technical analyst specialising in early childhood development financing, joined SmileFM to delve into the findings from the newly launched Early Childhood Development Services Index. This powerful new tool tracks service delivery across 52 municipalities, highlighting critical gaps and offering actionable insights for government at all levels. Grace also discusses the impact of unequal access on families and what needs to change to improve outcomes for nearly 5 million children growing up in poverty.
