SmartStart was established in 2015 and is focused on training and supporting community members to start their own social franchises in the field of home- and centre based, quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) to children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old.

SmartStarters are men and women who implement the SmartStart-programme in their local communities.  They receive standardised training and are subject to quality control standards before they can commence their ECD franchise.

SmartStarters help children to reach their full potential by providing access to affordable early childhood development of a high standard.

What does SmartStart do?

 

Playgroups

Helps SmartStarters to establish playgroups and small or large community based day care facilities as micro-enterprises.

Support

Supports new and existing caregivers to work with structured ECD centres.

Material

The day care programmes have been compiled by ECD experts to promote learning and growth through play, conversation and stories.

What is social franchising?

Social franchising refers to a concept whereby a successful programme is duplicated so that more people can benefit from it. It uses commercial franchise principles but without the aim of making profit. Its sole purpose is to increase the impact on the beneficiaries in the community.

Children are exposed to high quality early intervention and learning programmes through the use of standardised systems, material, monitoring and evaluation. Thousands of children can now have the opportunity to access quality early childhood development and we support thousands of entrepreneurs to manage their own micro-enterprises.

SmartStart relies on a network of strategic partners and organisations with a shared vision.  The network includes parents, caregivers, community leaders, ECD service providers and government.  SmartStart believes that if people work together, the opportunities and potential will be endless.

SmartStart is much more than a curriculum.  It provides a comprehensive package that includes training, resources and on-going support and development.

All SmartStarters

  • implement the SmartStart day programme,
  • support parents and caregivers to create an efficient home learning environment,
  • attend club meetings whereby their knowledge and skills can be developed, and
  • take part in the quality control.

SmartStarters have to comply with core programme requirements. This includes health and safety standards, maximum child attendance as well as how long sessions last and how often they are presented.

SmartStart wants to create a generation of young learners with a strong foundation for individual well-being and success at school. 

SmartStart is focused on three key outcomes

 

Healthy Relationships

That every child will develop healthy relationships that will contribute to happiness and create a firm and healthy foundation for further development.

Cognitive Skills

That every child becomes a good thinker and communicator and can use language with confidence in order to listen, reason and converse.

Core Skills

That every child acquires core skills such as self-control, endurance and adaptability which are important for learning and in life.

Why choose this program?

Community-based

It is a community-based approach that has many opportunities for relationship building and development.

Communication

The congregation has contact with an entire community, not just the children.

Fully subsidized

Most of the establishment and maintenance of the program is fully subsidized.

Quality material

The quality of the program is outstanding.

Support

Help and support is available throughout the process and in terms of sustaining the programme.

Quality Control

Strict quality control with extensive monitoring and evaluation processes in place.

 

Current areas of Service Delivery

Oudtshoorn, George, Mossel Bay, Citrusdal, Kuilsriver, Strand, Tygerberg, Paarl, Wellington, Worcester, Rawsonville, De Doorns, Laingsburg, Touwsriver, Heidelberg and Riversdal

How to get involved?

Visit smartstart.org.za for more information, videos, literature, press releases as well as the latest regarding ECD policies.

 

Contact