Research 

‘The Essential Package was first published by Ilifa in July 2013. Since then, it has been used extensively by Ilifa and Ilifa’s partners. As a result, the need to clarify, elaborate and strengthen some aspects of it has been recognised, hence this second edition. The second edition seeks, in particular, to emphasise the document’s use as a tool, for planning and monitoring ECD service provision at local, district and provincial levels. In addition, since publication of the first edition, the 2014 draft South African National ECD Policy and Programme have been developed. While the Essential Package informed this drafting process, the Policy and Programme recommendations have led Ilifa to further update the Essential Package to ensure alignment with the national agenda expressed in these documents. The importance placed in the Policy on strategies for communication and advocacy of ECD information, for instance, has directed the addition of a final section of this document on communications.’ [p. 12]