Early childhood education is the foundation of a child’s learning journey, and ensuring that children receive quality education in their formative years sets them up for success. We’re so excited to share the 2024 ELOM (Early Learning Outcomes Measure) Dipstick Report conducted on learners in Grow ECD programme centres. The results are positive – showing that children in Grow-supported centres are ahead of the national average in key developmental areas.
What is ELOM?
ELOM is a standardised child assessment tool used in South Africa to determine whether children are developmentally on track for their age. We assessed children aged 50-69 months (4-5 years) across six critical learning domains:
- Emergent Numeracy and Mathematics
- Cognition and Executive Functioning
- Emergent Literacy and Language
- Fine Motor Coordination and Visual Motor Integration
- Gross Motor Development
- Social-Emotional Function (evaluated by teachers)
Grow ECD conducted an ELOM study across three provinces, evaluating 91 learners. The results are inspiring – 70% of children in Grow ECD centres are developmentally on track, compared to the national Thrive by Five Index, which reports that only 45.7% of children are on track.
Key findings from the ELOM study
We are always eager to refine and improve what we offer because, at the heart of what we do, is the success of the child. The ELOM study provides valuable insights that guide us in strengthening our programme. It shines a light on the effectiveness of the Grow ECD programme and also the areas of growth.
The majority of learners assessed scored in the green (on-track) performance band across multiple developmental areas:
- Fine Motor Coordination & Visual Motor Integration: 72% on track
- Cognition & Executive Functioning: 64% on track
- Emergent Numeracy & Mathematics: 61% on track
- Emergent Literacy & Language: 55% on track
- Gross Motor Development: 42% on track
Furthermore, the Social-Emotional Rating Scale, which assesses emotional readiness for school and peer relationships, showed that 80% of learners met the standard for social relations, while 76% demonstrated emotional readiness for school – a testament to the holistic approach that Grow ECD centres provide.
Real impact: the story of Hope Preschool
Real impact: the story of Hope Preschool
Ati Dyomfana, the owner of Hope Preschool in Cape Town, has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the Grow ECD programme. Since joining Grow in 2022, her centre has flourished, and her learners are thriving. Parents have also agreed that they can see a huge difference in the development of their children.
“Before joining the Grow Small Business Programme, my centre never had structured administration procedures. We did not know where and how to do book keeping and recording. Teachers were collecting old worksheets from previous years for children’s activities. Now, my school operates professionally with a well-structured curriculum, excellent teaching resources, and digital tools like the Grow Giraffe App to keep track of progress,” says Ati.
According to Hope Preschool’s 2024 Learner Assessment report, 89% of learners aged 4-5 were developmentally on track and ready for Grade R, demonstrating the impact of quality education, structured training, and access to teaching resources. “Children at my centre now learn through play, and their development is being tracked and supported every step of the way,” Ati adds proudly.
Continuous learning and growing
These results inspire us to keep striving for more. We are incredibly proud of the progress being made in Grow ECD centres, but we also know that learning never stops. We will continue to listen, adapt, and improve so that every child in a Grow ECD supported centre has the best possible start in life.
Want your learners to be developmentally on track too?
The first step is to sign up for the next Grow ECD Business Accelerator! This six-week programme, starting on 9 May, equips ECD centre owners with the skills, tools and resources to take their ECD centre to the next level.
This is the first step to investing in the comprehensive, three-year ECD Small Business Programme to building a successful ECD Centre which includes practical training, mentorship, and resources to help ECD centres improve business sustainability and education quality.