Most pre-primary schools offering Grade R teaching in the Western Cape are independent institutions, supported financially by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). To qualify for financial support, pre-primary schools must register with the WCED.  > 

All ECD practitioners must be registered with the South African Council of Educators (SACE).  > 

This manual outlines the minimum standards for the day-care of children, as well as after-school care centres.  > 

In 2000 an audit of Early Childhood Development (ECD) provisioning was conducted throughout South Africa. The aim of the Audit was to provide accurate information on the nature and extent of ECD provisioning, services and resources across the country in order to inform and support ongoing policy and planning initiatives in this crucial and expanding sector.  > 

This study identifies which national departments have programmes and policies relating to children aged 0 - 9 years, and who is responsible for the implementation of these policies and programmes.  > 

The National Early Childhood Development (ECD) Pilot Project was launched in 1997 by the Department of Education. The overall pilot was designed to test the interim ECD policy, particularly related to the Reception Year (referred to as Grade R).  >