South Africa’s early childhood sector entered a new era of possibility as Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube unveiled the
R496m Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Outcomes Fund.

This landmark initiative is designed to change the story of the country’s youngest learners. Hosted at Protea Hotel Midrand under the theme, Partnership with Purpose, the launch of the fund drew government leaders, funders, and civil society partners united by a shared mission: to strengthen the foundation years that shape every child’s future.

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The fund has mobilised public, private, and philanthropic capital to scale high-impact early learning programmes, strengthen provider capacity, and improve learning outcomes for children aged 0–five years.

The launch marked a major milestone in South Africa’s effort to strengthen early childhood care and education. The fund represented a renewed commitment to expanding equitable access, improving programme quality, and supporting early learning across diverse communities.

Gwarube delivered a powerful call to action, reminding the country that the future of South Africa began long before a child entered Grade 1. She shared the story of two 10-year-olds whose lives diverged because of unequal access to stimulation and care in their early years, urging government, partners, and communities to help rewrite these early stories and ensure every child entered school ready to thrive.

She affirmed that the fund was more than a programme. “It is a commitment to closing inequality gaps, strengthening early learning centres, professionalising practitioners, and expanding access to safe and nurturing learning spaces.”

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Miléna Catellnou from the fund reflected on the years of collaboration and shared ambition that brought the initiative to life, highlighting the strength of the partnership between government, philanthropy, community organisations and impact investors.

Ida Thyregod from the LEGO Foundation praised South Africa’s leadership in outcomes-based approaches that prioritised real learning and the power of play. Nomsa Muthaphuli from the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust called for stronger sector-wide coherence and intentional transformation.

With nearly half a billion rand mobilised and more than 100 000 children set to be reached, South Africa reinforced its global leadership in early childhood development.

Two panel discussions explored how innovation, collaboration, and outcomes-based financing could transform ECCE. The first featured the government and donors, and the second brought together implementing partners, evaluators, and investors.

Both conversations underscored that meaningful impact in early learning required strong partnerships, robust data systems, adaptive learning, and a shared commitment to putting young children first.

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