The early-childhood development (ECD) programme will move from the Department of Social Development (DSD) to the Department of Basic Education on April 1.

According to a government statement this week, the teams of both departments are hard at work to make sure that this function shift happens smoothly.

The move will allow for a standardised ECD function to ensure structured learning in the sector, including a managed curriculum.

This means that the ECD curriculum would also be aligned to the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (Caps) curriculum.

The DSD will remain responsible for social support and care, and for support to ECD programmes similar to that currently provided to learners in schools.

DSD will also remain responsible for NPO registration and the function shift will not influence this process in any way.