Written by Deb Zelezniak, CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project In South Africa, a child’s future is often determined before they even step into a classroom. With just 2.2% of the basic education budget allocated to Early Childhood Development (ECD) and a mere 0.42% of the national budget, thousands of young children are left without proper care, education, or even basic necessities. The government’s intention to expand ECD access is not matched by adequate investment, leaving non-profit organisations (NPOs) to step in where the state falls short. The Harsh Reality of ECD in SA Recent data paints a grim picture: 45% of ECD centres lack running water, 40% are not connected to sewage systems, and 34% have no access to outdoor play areas crucial for development. Many centres do not have the infrastructure and learning materials needed to provide quality early education. While the Department of Basic Education (DBE) acknowledges these shortcomings, progress remains slow. “For thousands of children, their first introduction to books, structured learning, and basic resources comes from NPOs rather than government-funded centres. For example, in the past four years, the Santa Shoebox Project has invested over R2 million in transforming five rundown facilities into nurturing learning environments for over 200 children annually. But these interventions, though impactful, are not a substitute for systemic change. A Literacy Crisis in the Making Without proper funding, ECD centres lack essential educational resources. Nearly 44% have no age-appropriate books, and 39% have fewer than ten books available at all. Consequently, 26% of four- and five-year-olds struggle with basic literacy, and 19% lag significantly behind. Some children enter Grade 1 without ever having held a book. NPOs like Book Dash, however, work to bridge this gap by creating, translating, printing, and widely distributing African storybooks for the country’s youngest children. The Skills Deficit Among ECD Practitioners A well-trained ECD workforce is crucial to ensuring quality early education. Yet, nearly half of all ECD practitioners lack formal qualifications, and 22% have no relevant training at all. NPOs have taken on the task of upskilling them – especially as further education is unaffordable for these minimum-wage earners. If government truly aims to improve early education, it must prioritise the upskilling of practitioners. This is especially urgent given that only 10% of South African primary school teachers believe most children are developmentally ready for school.NPOs like ORT SA CAPE offer training to ECD educators in economically disadvantaged communities. These programmes equip practitioners with formal qualifications and mentoring skills, ensuring knowledge is passed down to others.As Joyce Cwayi, a caregiver at Ulutho Educare Centre in Mitchells Plain who benefited from such a programme, explains, “We don’t always get this kind of training with the Department of Basic Education.” DBE’s Mass Registration Drive: A double-edged sword The DBE launched a mass registration drive towards the end of 2024 to ensure ECD centres have the facilities, training and materials they need to provide quality early learning. But many centres struggle to comply due to a lack of resources. NPOs are now helping centres navigate the complex registration process, with organisations like Singakwenza offering financial management training to help crèche owners turn their centres into sustainable small businesses.Even as an increasing number of centres gain access to the government’s ECD subsidy, the core problem persists – the subsidy itself. At just R17 per child per day – a figure unchanged for six years – centres are forced to stretch already thin resources. Currently, only one-third of ECD centres are receiving the subsidy, covering 627,000 children, well below the 2.3 million target.Rising costs in food, sanitation, and education materials mean that, even with registration, many centres are still unable to provide quality care. Won’t this ultimately place an even greater burden on the private sector? A Call for Greater Investment If South Africa is serious about improving early childhood education, funding must follow intent. Greater investment is needed – not just in ECD centres but also in the NPOs working directly on the ground to fill systemic gaps.Research has consistently shown that investing in early childhood education is one of the most cost-effective ways to drive economic growth. A stronger ECD system means better educational outcomes, increased productivity, and a future workforce equipped to contribute to the economy. Failing to act now will not only harm the country’s most vulnerable citizens but also weaken South Africa’s long-term development prospects.The pressing question is: how much longer can NPOs be expected to shoulder the burden of a government responsibility? And how much more can they do without meaningful public-sector support? About the Santa Shoebox ProjectTraditional Santa Shoebox: Over the last 19 years, 1 301 508 Santa Shoeboxes, each containing eight specified items of treats and essentials, have been given to underprivileged and socially vulnerable children throughout South Africa and Namibia. From 01 September each year, Santa Shoebox donors choose their beneficiary child/ren by name, age and gender and are given the child’s clothing size. Each personalised shoebox reaches the very child for whom it was pledged. Virtual Santa Shoebox: These shoeboxes are purchased online by donors and are available year-round, meeting the needs of donors who live too far from drop-off points, are too busy to shop or have health issues. Components are chosen by the donor on the Santa Shoebox website, the shoeboxes are packed by the Santa Shoebox Team and delivered to children attending far-flung rural facilities. A VSS contains the eight specified items, as well as additional items, such as a lunchbox and books, and costs R450 plus an optional delivery fee of R30. SSP Legacy: All Santa Shoebox Project operating costs are covered by corporate sponsors. Privately donated funds and surplus funds generated by the sale of Virtual Santa Shoeboxes accrue to the SSP Legacy and are used to bring permanent change to the lives of Santa Shoebox beneficiary children and the impoverished communities in which they live. SSP Legacy initiatives have thus far reached more than 125 000 children. 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