February 2026
SHARED BLUEPRINTTO ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO QUALITY EARLY LEARNING
In this issue
Contents
Start hereExecutive SummarySouth Africa faces both a challenge and an opportunity. Over one million children still lack access to quality early learning, the foundation they need to thrive in school and life. Yet we have the knowledge, the partners and the commitment to change this.Read the summary
01The Call to Collective ActionEvery child in South Africa deserves the opportunity to thrive physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially, before starting school. While millions of children already benefit from a variety of early learning programmes (ELPs), over one million children still lack access to quality early learning.1.1 Background to This Blueprint1.2 Focusing on Early Learning1.3 Embracing Mixed-modality1.4 Reducing Friction to Change1.5 Orchestrating Collective Action1.6 What’s Next6 sections · pages 9–10
02Our Exponential ChallengeThe 2030 Strategy places children at the heart of South Africa’s early learning agenda, guided by four urgent and interconnected priorities:2.1 Vision 2030: An Exponential Imperative2.2 Shifting to an Exponential Mindset2.3 Amplifying Network Effects2.4 Unlocking Innovation Through Co-Creation2.5 Building Shared Support Systems2.6 At the Core: Those Closest to the Child6 sections · Read in the PDF · page 11
03Coming Together for ImpactUniversal access to quality early learning by 2030 depends not just on individual actions but on how well the whole system works together. Progress hinges on the ability of diverse actors across government, civil society, communities and families to align their efforts, share responsibility and support each other toward a common goal.3.1 Building the Early Learning Ecosystem3.2 Key Actors, Assets, and Infrastructure3.3 Strengthening the Networks of Care Closest to the Child3.4 Leveraging Assets and Infrastructure4 sections · Read in the PDF · page 14
04Building Momentum in StagesDelivering system-wide change at speed and scale requires a clear roadmap. This Blueprint builds on existing progress by introducing five overlapping stages of implementation: Prime, Engage, Support, Sustain and Integrate. Each stage builds on the previous one while overlapping with others. Think of them as waves, later stages begin before earlier ones are complete, creating momentum and accelerating progress.4.1 Prime: Beginning the Journey4.2 Engage: Enabling Early Learning at Scale4.3 Support: Nurturing Early Learning at Scale4.4 Sustain: Responding to Emerging Needs4.5 Integrate: Listen, Learn, Act, Improve4.6 How Orchestration Will Work6 sections · Read in the PDF · page 19
Naledi’s Journey: A Vision of TomorrowThe action agenda set out above is the start of the journey to scale. This is not intended to read as a list of things to do but rather as a framing that triggers ecosystem action. To bring the five stages of delivery to life, here is an example of one of many potential stories that can emerge from this. Imagine Naledi, a young woman in a rural community who has always dreamed of helping the children in her area. This is her story, not as it is today, but as it could be when the Blueprint’s actions work together as a connected, supportive system.pages 31–33Read in the PDF
05Strengthening the EcosystemWith the early learning sector primed and mobilised for coordinated action, the focus shifts to the people and programmes that bring it to life. Foundational elements introduced in Chapter 4, such as policy reforms, support systems, digital platforms and the shared narrative, are designed to empower key actors across the early learning landscape.5.1 Reinforcing the Ability to Solve5.2 Listening to Evolve Together5.3 Strengthening Actors Across the Ecosystem5.4 Towards Collective Action4 sections · Read in the PDF · page 34
06Shaping Our Shared Narrative of CareEarly learning is often described through acronyms, technical terms and specialist language, much of which is essential for system leaders but unfamiliar to parents, families and communities. This creates distance from the very people whose participation is key to children’s success. We cannot scale impact if early learning feels inaccessible or exclusive.6.1 Developing Deep Appreciation6.2 Shaping the Narrative of Care6.3 Inspiring Shifts in Mindsets6.4 Reinforcing with Action4 sections · Read in the PDF · page 38
07Accelerating Progress, TogetherThe journey now shifts from individual effort to collective action. It’s about how your role, strengthened by the foundations laid throughout this Blueprint, now connects with others to activate a coordinated, responsive early learning system.7.1 Acting Now, Acting Together7.2 Shaping Our Collective Future2 sections · Read in the PDF · page 40