Priorities for access to early childhood development services for children with disabilities in South Africa

Karisa, Amani; Samuels, Chantal; Watermeyer, Brian; McKenzie, Judith; Vergunst, Richard

doi:10.4102/sajce.v12i1.1119

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A comprehensive process of screening, identification, assessment and support is outlined, including the use of standardised tools and collaboration with parents and other professionals. However, apparently, many ECD centres are either not aware of the need to conduct assessments for disability or lack the necessary resources to do so (Karisa et al 2022 ). This finding is based on the results of an audit of ECD centres in 2014, which showed that assessments of children with disabilities are generally very low across all disability types (Department of Education’s National audit of ECD services [Department of Social Development 2014 ]).…”

Section: Contextual Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, in both countries, the major obstacles preventing children from accessing quality education at ECE level include negative attitudes towards disability, and a lack of resources, funding, facilities and trained personnel to effectively cater to the diverse needs of children with disabilities (Dombrowski, Sitabkhan & Kilonzo 2023 ). Unfortunately, major gaps remain and the checking and evaluating of ECE programmes has been inconsistent and opaque at times, with scant regard for improving access to quality-inclusive ECE and no acknowledgement that the barriers to access are not insurmountable (Karisa et al 2022 ; Samuels et al 2015 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Implementing early childhood education for children with disabilities in South Africa and Kenya

Clark,

Holness,

Nyamadzawo

et al. 2024

African Journal of Disability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The immediate implementation of early childhood education (ECE) for children with disabilities in South Africa and Kenya has been impeded by obstacles. Major gaps in implementation remain. We investigate, firstly, the widely held, but in our view fallacious, belief that the implementation of inclusive ECE can be progressively realised only when there are available resources. Secondly, we examine the other fallacious belief that children with severe and profound intellectual disabilities are ineducable, and thirdly, the belief that the provision of inclusive ECE is merely a regulatory governmental function, implying that accessibility and reasonable accommodation requirements for children with disabilities do not rest primarily on the state.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the gaps in both countries between the policies and legislation and effective implementation, to show that these gaps are exacerbated by the perpetuation of these fallacious beliefs and by information vacuums at governmental level.Method: A critical analysis of inclusive ECE was undertaken on relevant law and policy processes in both countries to expose both governments’ reasons for their lack of effective implementation of inclusive ECE.Results: The factors contributing to the lack of immediate and significant implementation of inclusive ECE for children with disabilities in both countries have been investigated.Conclusion: Accountability and transparency need to be implemented at the governance level to ensure that both governments fully implement and prioritise inclusive ECE.Contribution: This article establishes that mistaken premises and information vacuums may be used by governments in an attempt to renege on their international and constitutional obligations to implement inclusive ECE.

show abstract

Section: Contextual Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing early childhood education for children with disabilities in South Africa and Kenya

Clark,

Holness,

Nyamadzawo

et al. 2024

African Journal of Disability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Removing barriers to registration for early childhood development centres

Sello,

De Wet-Billings,

Mabetha

et al. 2024

South African Journal of Childhood Education

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Early childhood development (ECD) centres play a crucial role in children’s well-being. Multifaceted obstacles hinder ECD centres registration. Overcoming these challenges demands a multisectoral approach to ensure quality education for all children.Aim: This study provides an overview of the quality of ECD centres in South Africa, and then focusses on the specific obstacles ECD centres face in registering their centres with the Department of Social Development (DSD).Setting: An ECD census was conducted in nine South African provinces.Methods: This study analysed data from the South Africa ECD Census (2021). The sample size was 42 420; however, this study analysed data for 39 375 for centres who responded to whether they were registered with the DSD across all South Africa’s nine provinces. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: Only 16% of ECD centres were in the formal registration process, while 43% were not registered. Barriers included no bank account, a lack of separate classes, and insufficient staff. In multivariate analysis, the absence of a bank account strongly predicted registration barriers (RRR 4.21; CI 6.37–7.62, p 0.05).Conclusion: This study underscores the critical role of ECD centres in shaping the foundational aspects of children’s lives. There is an urgent need to streamline the ECD registration process.Contribution: The study finds 43% of childcare centres were unregistered, supporting the call for simplified registration to improve access to quality education and reduce educational disparities in South Africa.

show abstract

Priorities for access to early childhood development services for children with disabilities in South Africa

Abstract: Priorities for access to early childhood development services for children with disabilities in South Africa',

Cited by 2 publications

References 28 publications

Implementing early childhood education for children with disabilities in South Africa and Kenya

Implementing early childhood education for children with disabilities in South Africa and Kenya

Removing barriers to registration for early childhood development centres

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About