Investing in Early Childhood Development (ECD) is one of the most powerful ways to create long-term social impact.
Research from UNICEF and the World Bank consistently shows that quality early learning improves school readiness, increases lifetime earnings, and helps reduce inequality.
But with many organisations operating in the sector, funders often ask:
How do you know which ECD programmes actually work? And how do you choose the right partner to invest in?
Here are key questions to guide that decision.
1. Does the organisation measure outcomes using recognised tools?
Access to ECD is important, but quality is what drives meaningful outcomes.
According to UNESCO, effective early learning programmes include:
- Structured, play-based learning
- Trained practitioners
- Consistent daily routines
Strong ECD programmes don’t just deliver activities, they measure whether children are developing as expected.
In South Africa, national data shows that only 45.7% of children are developmentally on track by age 4–5.
Independent assessments such as ELOM (Early Learning Outcomes Measure) are widely used to track this.
For example, recent ELOM results from Grow ECD-supported centres showed:
- 70% of children developmentally on track
- 84% of 4–5 year olds met expected developmental milestones
- 76% strong social-emotional readiness
- Lower rates of children falling behind compared to national averages
These outcomes signal that quality support is translating into real developmental progress.
➡️ Funders should ask: Are outcomes independently measured and benchmarked?
2. Is the curriculum structured, recognised, and evidence-based?
A strong curriculum is the foundation of quality early learning.
Look for:
- Alignment with national frameworks (NCF)
- Play-based, child-centred learning approaches
- Independent validation of quality
The Grow ECD curriculum demonstrates this by being:
- NCF-aligned and play-based
- Approved by the Department of Basic Education (DBE)
- Awarded a 93% score in quality pedagogy by Education Alliance Finland (EAF)
This combination of local alignment and international validation is a strong indicator of quality.
➡️ Funders should ask: Is the curriculum both practical for teachers and independently validated?
3. Does the programme support the people behind the centre?
ECD outcomes are directly linked to the capability of:
- Centre owners
- Teachers and practitioners
Effective programmes provide:
- Ongoing mentorship
- Practical, easy-to-use tools
- Continuous learning opportunities
Grow ECD’s model reflects this approach. 2025 saw:
- 1,552 owners and teachers trained in person
- 2,108 people accessing online training
- 1,128 teachers actively using the curriculum
This level of engagement helps translate learning into daily classroom practice.
➡️ Funders should ask: Does the programme build human capability over time?
4. Does the model support the whole centre, not just the classroom?
ECD centres require support across multiple areas, not just education.
This includes:
- Curriculum and child development
- Business operations and financial management
- Leadership and compliance
Holistic programmes are more likely to create lasting change.
Grow ECD’s Small Business Programme supports centres through:
- Education and curriculum
- Business training and mentorship
- Registration and compliance guidance
- Access to finance
Currently:
- 232 centres are supported
- Over 11,300 children benefit daily
This integrated approach strengthens both:
- the quality of education, and
- the sustainability of the centre
➡️ Funders should ask: Does the intervention strengthen the entire system around the child?
5. Does the organisation provide practical tools that improve daily operations?
Training alone is rarely enough.
ECD practitioners benefit most from tools they can use daily, such as:
- Curriculum guides with step-by-step activities
- Learner assessment tools
- Templates for policies and compliance
- Financial tracking and admin systems
The Grow ECD app provides these tools in one place, allowing centres to:
- manage attendance
- track learner development
- manage finances and administration
This reduces the gap between knowing what to do and being able to do it consistently.
➡️ Funders should ask: Are tools practical, accessible, and used daily?
6. Is there evidence of financial sustainability and leverage?
Sustainable ECD centres require financial systems that work.
From a funder perspective, it is valuable to support organisations that:
- Encourage shared investment
- Unlock additional funding streams
- Demonstrate financial accountability
For example, in 2025 Grow ECD unlocked:
- R2.9 million through blended finance
- With 90% loan repayment rate
This indicates that centres are not only supported, but are becoming more financially resilient and investable.
➡️ Funders should ask: Does the model build long-term financial sustainability?
7. Is there clear measurement and accountability across the programme?
Strong organisations:
- Track progress over time
- Measure both education and business outcomes
- Use data to improve delivery
Grow ECD’s STAR Assessment Tool:
- Evaluates centres across five key areas
- Includes education quality and business health
- Conducted 162 structured assessments
This provides clear visibility of:
- progress
- gaps
- and improvement areas
➡️ Funders should ask: Is there a structured system for monitoring and improvement?
8. Is there external validation of quality and trust?
Credible organisations are open about their systems and impact.
Grow ECD has achieved a 5-star Izinga verification, which assesses:
- Governance
- Financial management
- Programme delivery
- Accountability
This provides an additional layer of independent trust and credibility.
➡️ Funders should ask: Has the organisation been externally verified?
9. Can the model scale effectively across different contexts?
Funders often look for organisations that can scale impact beyond a small number of sites.
This includes:
- Use of technology
- Replicable programme models
- Accessibility across different communities
Grow ECD’s mobile platform demonstrates this:
- 5,924 active app users
- 3,572 ECD centres using the app
- 82,057 learners reached
Importantly, much of the platform is data-free, increasing accessibility.
➡️ Funders should ask: Can this model scale without losing quality?
10. Does the organisation contribute to broader ecosystem impact?
ECD challenges require collaboration.
Effective organisations:
- Partner with government
- Work with NGOs and networks
- Leverage private sector support
Grow ECD works with:
- 25 collaborating organisations
- National initiatives such as DBE Bana Pele
- Programmes delivering 15,000+ books and daily nutrition support
This expands reach and strengthens sector-wide impact.
➡️ Funders should ask: Does the organisation strengthen the wider ECD ecosystem?
Why this matters
In South Africa, many children still enter school without the foundation they need.
At the same time, ECD centres operate under pressure with limited support.
Choosing the right organisation means supporting:
- children at a critical stage
- women-led businesses
- long-term community outcomes
Final thought: What makes an ECD organisation worth investing in?
There is no single solution.
But the evidence consistently shows that the most effective organisations combine:
- measurable child outcomes
- strong, validated curriculum
- practical tools and systems
- business sustainability
- and ongoing support
These are the organisations best positioned to deliver real, scalable impact over time.