How to cite: Nondalana-Vuzane, N & Stofile, S 2026, ‘Unlocking the role of isiXhosa idioms in early childhood learning and development’, in T Moodley, S Stofile & R Govender (eds.), Holistic and inclusive education practices for young learners in South Africa: From early childhood to Foundation Phase, The University of the Western Cape Faculty of Education Book Series, vol. 2, AOSIS Books, Cape Town, pp. 103–122. https://doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2026.BK568.06
<span>In a journey towards reaching universal access to early childhood development (ECD) services in South Africa, the recent 2030 ECD Strategy (Department of Basic Education of the Republic of South Africa, 2023) proposes targets for enrolment in early childhood care or educational (ECCE) opportunities. The 2030 ECD strategy acknowledges that meeting expansion targets will require significant financial, infrastructural and human resource investments. Against this context, this research report provides further specificity on the human resource requirements needed to support targeted access to specifically early learning programmes (ELPs) as expressed in the 2030 ECD Strategy. The first aim of this report is to identify the current supply of ECD practitioners under current enrolment conditions, considering the size of the existing ECD workforce and the levels of training and qualifications among the existing ECD workforce. The second objective is to identify the demand for ECD practitioners under targeted enrolment conditions in South Africa.</span> <br>
How to cite: Levin, J & Moodley, T 2026, ‘Scaffolding early childhood development through storytelling and play in a Waldorf kindergarten’, in T Moodley, S Stofile & R Govender (eds.), Holistic and inclusive education practices for young learners in South Africa: From early childhood to Foundation Phase, The University of the Western Cape Faculty of Education Book Series, vol. 2, AOSIS Books, Cape Town, pp. 163–183. https://doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2026.BK568.09
Abstract The delivery of high-quality education is considerably aided by effective school management, which includes managing finances. Understanding financial management in early childhood education (ECE) is crucial and essential given that high-quality ECE is now recognised as a foundation for successful higher education and productive adulthood. This study aimed at exploring township early childhood development centre principals' experiences with their financial management responsibilities. Four early childhood development centres were purposively selected from the township areas in Gauteng Province, South Africa, using a qualitative research approach and case study design. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with the principals of the selected centres. The findings demonstrate that the ECD principals have limited knowledge of financial management responsibilities and that there is no formal legal framework for financial management at ECD centres. Township ECD financial management practices include planning (identifying needs), organising (fees paid into the bank account and procurement made through bank card) and reporting (giving accounts to the board of directors and parents). In this study, it can be concluded that township ECD principals are making an effort to ensure effective financial management of their centres. However, several obstacles, including the principals' lack of accounting expertise, their heavy workload, the non-payment of school fees, and the absence of a financial management legislative framework, prevent ECD centres' effective and efficient financial management.
Background: In South Africa, the Department of Basic Education removed the non-profit organisation (NPO) registration mandate for early childhood development (ECD) programmes. The aim was to alleviate administrative burdens. If the messaging is not received correctly, it could lead to the inaccurate belief that all programmes are subsidy-eligible without any formal registration, potentially risking the quality and sustainability of ECD services. Aim: This study investigated the determinants influencing the decision of ECD centres to register as NPOs prior to the NPO registration mandate. Setting: A nationwide ECD census was conducted in all nine South African provinces. Methods: Data from 39 176 centres were analysed quantitatively to investigate the association between ECD centre registration as an NPO and various independent variables. Results: The findings show that 68.34% of ECD centres were registered as NPOs. The odds ratio (OR) of receiving a subsidy (OR 10.17; 7.82–13.22), having a bank account (OR 4.20; CI 3.01–5.72) and the ECD programme being part of a wider network (OR 1.81; CI 1.46–2.26) were strong predictors of ECD NPO registration. Conclusion: Subsidies matter in encouraging ECD centres to formalise their operations. ECDs that are part of wider networks have an opportunity to access resources, information and support that can enhance operational effectiveness. Contribution: The study provides empirical evidence to guide policy decisions and resource allocation, which can potentially lead to improved service quality and access to resources for children and families to support the growth and sustainability of the ECD sector in South Africa.
How to cite: Bondesio, N 2026, ‘The integration of indigenous knowledge systems into early childhood development curriculum frameworks’, in T Moodley, S Stofile & R Govender (eds.), Holistic and inclusive education practices for young learners in South Africa: From early childhood to Foundation Phase, The University of the Western Cape Faculty of Education Book Series, vol. 2, AOSIS Books, Cape Town, pp. 81–102. https://doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2026.BK568.05
Abscondment from hospital poses risks to patients. The epidemiology of abscondment from hospitals remains unclear in Malawi and other sub-Saharan African settings. This case-control study used data from a hospital surveillance of the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Program in four district hospitals in Malawi to describe factors associated with abscondment among paediatric inpatients. The cases and controls (1:1 match) were children aged 1–59 months hospitalised with an acute medical illness. The cases were children who absconded from the hospital. Controls were children admitted within ± 7 days of the admission date of the corresponding cases who did not abscond, residing in the same geographical cluster. Baseline characteristics between cases and controls were compared using the chi-squared test of independence or Fisher’s Exact test. Over the period of analysis, 2.17% (454/20925) of admitted patients absconded. Severe anaemia was more prevalent in cases than controls (17.54% (50/285) vs. 8.91% (27/303), p < 0.01). Hospital stay longer than three days was more prevalent in cases than controls (42.22% (141/334) vs. 25.40% (112/441), p < 0.01). In this analysis, hospital stay for > 3 days and severe anaemia showed possible trends towards increased odds of abscondment, hence may warrant further investigation as potential indicators for the prevention of abscondment.
Kelvin M. Maziya, Madalitso D. Zulu, Christopher C. Stanley et al.
How to cite: Moodley, T & Stofile, S 2026, ‘Holistic and inclusive education practice in early childhood development’, in T Moodley, S Stofile & R Govender (eds.), Holistic and inclusive education practices for young learners in South Africa: From early childhood to Foundation Phase, The University of the Western Cape Faculty of Education Book Series, vol. 2, AOSIS Books, Cape Town, pp. 3–22. https://doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2026.BK568.01
How to cite: Fagan, D 2026, ‘Integrating artificial intelligence into early childhood development: Afrocentric and inclusive approaches’, in T Moodley, S Stofile & R Govender (eds.), Holistic and inclusive education practices for young learners in South Africa: From early childhood to Foundation Phase, The University of the Western Cape Faculty of Education Book Series, vol. 2, AOSIS Books, Cape Town, pp. 63–78. https://doi.org/10.4102/aosis.2026.BK568.04
Background. Even though immunisation coverage is tracked through the district health system in South Africa (SA), limited information is available regarding interventions linked to the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) and the impact on the nutritional status of children <5 years of age. Objectives. To describe coverage of immunisations, vitamin A supplementation and deworming among children <5 years old in an urban area of Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape Province, SA. A secondary objective was to investigate whether a history of missed immunisations, vitamin A supplementation or deworming was associated with wasting or stunting in children. Methods. A descriptive study was conducted between September 2015 and February 2016, where cross-sectional anthropometrical data were collected from 1 513 children in 32 pre-schools, together with a retrospective analysis of the participants’ Road-to-Health/clinic cards to collect data on immunisation, vitamin A and deworming. Participants were categorised into 3-month age intervals to facilitate data analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from the Nelson Mandela University Research Ethics Committee (Human). Results. Data of 1 496 children were included in the analysis. The prevalence of underweight was 2.5% (n=37), while 11.2% (n=167) were stunted and 1.1% (n=16) were wasted. There were associations between age category and delayed vitamin A supplementation (χ2=32.105; df=19; n=836; p=0.03) and deworming (χ2= 45.257; df=17; n=558; p<0.001), but there was no association between delayed vaccinations and age category. There were no significant differences in anthropometrical indicators for children with delayed vitamin A supplementation, deworming and vaccinations compared with children in this sample who were up to date regarding the relevant indicators. However, weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height z-scores and stunting risk were associated with low birthweight (LBW) (odds ratio (OR) 4.658; p<0.001). Conclusion. Coverage of vitamin A supplementation and deworming but not immunisations was poorer among children in older age categories. A history of delayed vitamin A, deworming and vaccinations was not associated with the anthropometrical status of children. Children with LBW should be considered for more rigorous follow-up, as they are at higher risk of stunting.
