Child Development

Giving every child their chance in life.

The reality

A child’s first 1000 days shape the rest of their life. But in isolated villages, good nutrition, informed parental support and quality early learning are often out of reach, along with the basic documentation that gives a family access to social protection. Many children remain undocumented, cutting them off from the safety nets meant to protect them.

Our approach

By supporting local women leaders in community-based organisations, we contribute to optimal growth during the First 1000 Days and to quality early childhood development from ages 2 to 5, with ongoing monitoring and support. That means home-based training for expecting and new parents, accredited ECD for children, and social auxiliary services that oversee vulnerable children and secure their documentation, protection and citizenship rights.

What this looks like on the ground

• First 1000 Days training and support for expecting and new parents
• Professional ECDs, including practitioner training (NQF4) and getting children enrolled in ECD
• Quality early learning for children aged 2–5, assessed using the ELOM tool
• Accredited Social Auxiliary Worker training for local women
• Documentation, protection, and access to social safety nets for vulnerable children

The impact (aimed at 2026 – 2028)

• 400+ vulnerable children supported with quality ECD and protection services
• 256 children (ages 2–5) in accredited, DBE-funded early learning
• 16 women transitioning into accredited ECD practitioner roles
• 16 women transitioning into accredited Social Auxiliary Worker roles
• adding to the 20,000+ vulnerable children supported across ASAP’s history

What this means for children

This is where everything else we do converges on a child’s life: nurtured, protected, documented, and given an early foundation. It is the clearest expression of our purpose.