UPDATE: Western Cape Government moves forward with ECD Migration

With the shift of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) function from the Department of Social Development (DSD) to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) at national and provincial levels taking place on 1 April 2022, we are pleased with the steps we have taken as a government to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.  

During his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the ECD function would shift from being the responsibility of the DSD to the DBE. This function shift is on track to take place on 1 April 2022.

The following processes have been implemented to ensure that the function shift takes place as smoothly as possible since the provincial proclamation was signed and gazetted on August 25, 2021.

• Transferring of the contacts and Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) from DSD to the Western Cape DBE.
• Close collaboration between DSD and WCED on all matters, to ensure the efficient transfer of resources, budget and assets.
• DSD has provided all business architecture (Standard Operating Procedures etc), databases and required documentation to WCED.
• Staff have been identified, consulted and received transfer letters. Affected staff who are transferring from DSD to DBE, have institutional knowledge and experience and are currently performing these functions, thus minimising programme implementation risk.     

ECD is critical as it provides a vehicle for early intervention and child protection; provides the conditions necessary for the realisation of the right of every infant and child to develop his/her potential to the maximum extent possible to become physically healthy, mentally alert, socially competent, emotionally sound and ready to learn, forms the basis for improving school outcomes and laying the foundation for lifelong learning; a means to reduce childhood poverty; and an opportunity to develop the skills and competencies required for economic opportunities in later life.

What is to be expected as a result of the shift of ECD function from DSD to DBE:

All ECD services will move over to WCED, and the partial care services (after school services) will remain with the provincial DSD. The provincial DSD will continue to render child care and protection, support to families and parenting programs, within the broader area of early childhood development.

Furthermore, no significant changes will be made to the operational aspects and service delivery model for ECD in the first two years to ensure that the transition takes place smoothly.

For information and frequently asked questions about the ECD function shift to the DBE, visit www.westerncape.gov.za/ecd or click here.

For more information contact:

Any persons interested in finding out more information about the services we offer, individuals can make contact with our department by calling, 0800 220 250, to be directed to your nearest local DSD office.

For more information about our other services, please refer to the Western Cape Department’s Website below:

https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/social-development.