SmartStart has brought together its national network and wider early childhood development ecosystem to strengthen collaboration towards quality early learning access for every child by 2030.
The early learning delivery platform hosted its inaugural “Constellations of Change” gathering at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, bringing together organisations and individuals working across the ECD system.
The two-day gathering included SmartStart implementing partners, programme leads, club coaches, call-centre agents, frontline and hub staff, government representatives, funders, researchers and technology providers.
Discussions centred on how stronger partnerships and greater coordination can help expand access to quality early learning while addressing interconnected challenges including nutrition, workforce development, financing and sustainability.
The first day focused on SmartStart’s network and its new five-year strategy. Participants reflected on the organisation’s evolving role from primarily delivering an early learning programme towards becoming a catalyst for coordination, innovation and systems change across the ECD sector.
SmartStart’s network supports the delivery of early learning within communities across the country through implementing partners, programme leads, club coaches, call-centre agents and hub staff.
The gathering also provided an opportunity to celebrate SmartStart’s recognition as a 2026 recipient of the Skoll Award for Social Innovation. The international award recognises organisations with a track record of advancing transformational social change on complex global challenges.
Four SmartStart partner organisations were recognised for their contribution to strengthening the early learning ecosystem.
The Early Learning Resources Unit received the Agency Award for taking initiative to expand access in challenging contexts, while Training and Resources for Early Education received the Know How Award for sharing practical expertise and tools.
Khululeka and Siyakholwa jointly received the Collaboration Award for establishing a regional hub and working together to help close the early learning access gap in the Eastern Cape.
“These awards celebrate more than individual organisations,” said SmartStart Chief Programme and Platform Officer Lazola Makuphula. “They recognise the collective effort, experimentation, and partnerships that are helping to build a stronger early learning system.”
The awards reflect three strategic enablers identified by SmartStart — agency, know-how and collaboration — as the organisation works to address fragmentation and competition for limited resources within the ECD sector.
Its approach includes developing an open delivery platform, building partnerships capable of expanding access and exploring new ways of resourcing early childhood development.
On the second day, discussions expanded to the broader ECD ecosystem, with government leaders, funders, researchers, technology providers and implementing organisations examining what is required to increase the accessibility, quality and sustainability of early learning.
SmartStart CEO Grace Matlhape highlighted the importance of establishing a shared purpose across the sector, while DG Murray Trust CEO David Harrison introduced the “constellation” concept as a framework for more connected and coordinated action.
Panel discussions explored the relationship between early learning access, nutrition, quality, the ECD workforce, financing, evidence and partnerships.
The conversations highlighted the interconnected nature of these areas. Expanding access requires more than increasing the number of early learning opportunities: nutrition affects children’s ability to learn, quality depends on skilled and supported practitioners, and sustaining the workforce requires appropriate financing.
“Each part of the early learning system matters, but none can achieve lasting impact in isolation. The opportunity now is to connect the work already happening and turn shared ambition into practical action,” said Matlhape.
The gathering concluded with participants committing to strengthen collaboration across the ECD ecosystem and broaden participation in efforts to improve early learning.
The next phase will focus on translating discussions into action through stronger government partnerships, more coordinated investment, evidence sharing and opportunities for organisations across the sector to contribute.
“Constellations of Change is a starting point,” said Matlhape. “The work continues in communities daily. Our responsibility is to build the relationships, partnerships and systems that enable everyone working in early learning to contribute to a stronger future for children.”
