Coalition Calls for Higher ECD Funding in 2027 Budget
Advocates urge larger early childhood development subsidies and a higher Child Support Grant ahead of the next national budget.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Child Care
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A coalition of more than 300 organisations has called for increased early childhood development (ECD) funding in the 2027 Budget, including a higher ECD subsidy and an increase in the Child Support Grant. The group also urged urgent implementation of a nutrition programme for children in underserved communities.
Why it matters
Rising food, electricity and operational costs are placing pressure on early learning centres serving low-income households, while many families experiencing unemployment cannot afford additional fees. Approximately one million children aged three to five are not attending an early learning programme across South Africa.
The 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement allocated R1.6 billion over the medium term for pre-birth care and the first 1,000 days of life and R3.8 billion to employ more than 3,500 social workers. Whether these allocations will be expanded in the 2027 Budget has not been stated.
The players
Real Reform for ECD
A coalition advocating for increased early childhood development funding and policy reform in South Africa.
Department of Basic Education
The South African national department responsible for basic education, which published the 2030 ECD Strategy estimating full implementation could support 300,000 additional jobs and 70,000 enterprises.
The details
The coalition has called for a higher ECD subsidy, an increase in the Child Support Grant and urgent implementation of a nutrition programme. The nutrition pilot procurement process has been postponed eight times, and more than 90% of ECD practitioners earn below the national minimum wage.
Timeline
2026: The 2026 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement outlined government commitments to maternal and child nutrition, additional social workers and fiscal stabilisation.
2027: The 2027 Budget is the target for increased early childhood development funding.
2030: The coalition's requested R50 per child per day ECD subsidy target year.
Roadmap
The Department of Basic Education's 2030 ECD Strategy estimates full implementation could support 300,000 additional jobs and 70,000 enterprises. The coalition's call for higher funding in the 2027 Budget pushes that strategy's timeline toward concrete budget commitments.
Parents of children aged three to five in South Africa who are not yet in an early learning programme may see changes to subsidy levels and nutrition support if the coalition's requests are adopted. Families facing unemployment or rising costs could be affected by any fee increases at early learning centres.
The takeaway
Parents and caregivers should watch the 2027 Budget for changes to ECD subsidies and the Child Support Grant. Checking local early learning centres about fees and nutrition support can help families plan for any shifts.
What happens next
The 2027 Budget will indicate whether the requested ECD subsidy and Child Support Grant increases are funded.
Further reading
Explore more on child care funding and early learning access in South Africa.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Social TV.
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