Smart Start
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and shine – no matter their background. SmartStart is on a mission to reach one million children aged 3 to 5 every year by 2030, giving them the best start in life and building a better future for South Africa by making quality early learning accessible, especially in underserved communities. SmartStart respects the inherent strengths of communities, empowering under-employed women and leveraging home and community venues for early learning.
Theory of Change
Inputs
Funding from donors, foundations, and government
Partnerships with NGOs, social enterprises, and public agencies
Training materials and curricula aligned with national standards
Recruitment and upskilling of women as community-based franchisees
Physical and digital infrastructure for programme delivery
Activities
Training, coaching, and supporting franchisees
Rolling out and improving structured early learning programmes in homes and communities
Conducting regular child development assessments and programme evaluations
Advocacy and collaboration to scale access and influence policy
Mobilization of parents, caregivers, and local partners
Outputs
Nationwide network of 13,000+ ELPs
Weekly access to early learning for 125,000+ children
Documented progress and evaluation reports
Established collaborations with national and regional partners
Outcomes
Improved learning and developmental outcomes for children aged 3–5
Narrowing of developmental and achievement gaps due to poverty or geographic location
Increased female workforce participation and community empowerment
Evidence of systemic impact on SA’s early learning landscape
Programs
1. SmartStart National Early Learning Programme
A scalable, home- and community-based early learning initiative designed to give 3 to 5 year olds in South Africa access to quality, affordable early childhood education, especially in low-income and underserved areas. The model trains, supports, and licenses 'franchisees'—primarily under-employed women—who deliver evidence-based programs supported by operational tools, coaching, and a network of implementing partners.
Funding from philanthropic organizations and government
Training resources and experienced coaches
Partnerships with implementing NGOs and local government branches
Community venues, homes, and local infrastructure
Operational tools and play materials
Recruitment of under-employed women as franchisees
Training and supporting franchisees to deliver early learning programs
Regular coaching, quality assurance, and peer learning via a national club network
Engaging caregivers and families with activity guidance
Continuous evaluation and improvement of learning content
Building and sustaining partnerships with NGOs, public sector, and researchers
Advocacy for ecosystem and systems-level change
Over 13,000 early learning programmes (ELPs) in operation nationwide
Franchisees equipped to deliver daily, quality early learning routines
Children aged 3-5 engaged in nurturing, play-based learning
Caregivers and parents regularly engaged
Operational expansion to every province in South Africa
Significant increases in the proportion of children 'on track' for learning and development (from 45% to 65% over eight months, per ELOM study)
Halving of children 'falling far behind' in key skills
Reduction in achievement gaps between low-income and higher-income households
Empowerment and income generation for women franchisees
Greater school readiness and future educational success for enrolled children
Progress toward the national target of reaching 1 million children annually by 2030
Other Information
Core Values
Child-centered learning: Prioritizing children’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth
Community empowerment: Leveraging local strengths and resources
Gender equity: Empowering women as change agents
Quality and evidence: Using proven, measurable methods
Inclusivity: Serving children regardless of location or background
Collaboration: Harnessing partnerships for systemic change
Scale
13,000+ early learning programmes across South Africa
Serving over 125,000 children weekly (2025)
Operating in every province, with active partnerships and localized network reach
Annual target: 1 million children by 2030
Affected Users
Children aged 3–5 in South Africa, especially in low-income and underserved communities
Under-employed women empowered as franchisees (early learning facilitators)
Caregivers and families seeking to give children a strong developmental foundation
Geographical Areas
South Africa (all 9 provinces, urban and rural areas including regions serviced by partners such as Knysna, Bitou, Free State (Lesedi), multiple provinces (Penreach), and national reach via local NGOs)
Contact Info
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