Kuyakhanya

‘There is Light’

Early Childhood Development Centres

What is Kuyakhanya?

Kuyakhanya is a play-based, community-rooted Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiative that supports children, caregivers, and the ECD workforce through integrated early learning, mental health, nutrition, community engagement, and capacity-building support.

With a focus on the training, supporting, and mentoring of 'Community Play Facilitators' and enhancing local ECD centres across rural KwaZulu Natal, which will eventually expand to other provinces, the project maintains relationships with caregivers, including gogos raising grandchildren. In its first year, Kuyakhanya provided integrated ECD innovations for children aged 0-5 in 31 ECD Centres in the Ugu District, with 30 Community Play Facilitators per hub. The project is now extending to other rural communities across Kwa-Zulu Natal at scale.

Project Aim

To build ecosystems of play that improve early childhood development (ECD) outcomes for children aged 0–5 in rural and peri-urban communities by empowering Community Play Facilitators (CPFs) and strengthening family and community nurturing environments.

Kuyakhanya aims to address the gap in rural early childhood development (ECD) outcomes. Nationally 60% of ECD centres are urban, leaving peri-urban and rural children without access to quality early learning: By reaching 15,000–20,000 children annually, the project aims to strengthen play-based ecosystems for rural South African children.

How does it work?

Research has shows that access to quality early learning opportunities helps young children to cope better with educational and life demands as they grow up.

Khuyakhanya is a project aimed at improving access for children under five in rural South Africa to these ECD opportunities.

How?

Strengthening Capacity: Building skills and resources within the ECD ecosystem.
Increasing Responsive Caregiving: Fostering nurturing and supportive interactions.
Improving Mental Wellbeing: Supporting the mental health of the ECD workforce, caregivers and community.

Overall Project Targets

Note: The targets and their implementation plan are subject to further revision following continued learnings, currently projected to 5 years in 4 provinces.

Project Partners

Partners and Funders
- IRD SA (Lead implementer and contracting partner)
- TREE (ECD Training and mentoring partner)
- goGOGOgo (Community Engagement and Development partner)
- J-PAL (M & E partner)
- Umzumbe Municipality
- KwaZulu Natal Department of Education
- KwaZulu Natal Department of Health
- Frankland Primary School (Playhouse site host)
- Traditional Leadership Structures (Tribal Council)
- Community Committees & local clinics
- Ward Councillors
- Pre-existing NPOs