At least 300k 4-year-olds missing out on key childhood development, study finds

JOHANNESBRUG - At least 350,000 four-year-old children not enrolled in early learning programmes (ELPs) are missing critical structured learning, daily nutritional meals, and access to healthcare services.

The latest Thrive by Five index report, a national survey of preschool child outcomes, conducted a study of non-enrolled children living in low-income areas in three of the country's provinces.

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Over 20,000 households were visited in Gauteng, Kwazulu-Natal and the Western Cape to identify and assess 272 eligible children.

The sobering findings were shared during a briefing in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Monday.

The households that were reached revealed a pattern of deep disadvantage, with at least 73% of primary caregivers living under unemployment and a similar percentage had not completed high school.

A majority of the children live in informal dwellings and 15% lacked even a birth certificate, blocking access to many services.

For 77% of primary caregivers, not being able to afford fees was the main reason for their child not attending an ELP.

A vast majority of children are falling far behind in childhood development, yet most caregivers believe their children are doing just fine.

According to DataDrive 2030, nutrition is a critical driver of development, and data collected showed that a significant number of children were severely stunted, signifying poor body and brain development.

For non-enrolled children, the lack of daily meals and health checks, often provided by ELPs, compounds these risks.

The sub-study shone a light on not only the gap in enrolment, but early exclusion, with consequences for equity, education and human development.