The Thrive by Five Index

The Thrive by Five Index is a national, population-level study that provides a comprehensive snapshot of the developmental status of four-year-old children enrolled in early learning programmes in South Africa. Conducted every three years, the survey is led by the Department of Basic Education and coordinated by DataDrive2030. It is designed to track progress over time, identify gaps, and inform decision-making across the early childhood development (ECD) sector. By using a nationally representative sample, the Index enables findings to be generalised to the broader population of children attending early learning programmes, offering a robust evidence base for policy, planning, and investment.

The study adopts a cross-sectional design, meaning that each round captures a detailed picture of children’s development at a specific point in time, rather than following the same children longitudinally. This approach allows for regular, comparable assessments of the system as a whole, making it possible to monitor trends and shifts in developmental outcomes across successive rounds of the Index.

A key strength of the Thrive by Five Index lies in its multi-dimensional approach to measurement. Children’s development is assessed directly using the ELOM 4&5, a standardised and locally validated tool that measures performance across multiple domains, including early numeracy, early literacy and language, executive functioning, gross motor and fine motor coordination and visual motor integration. These direct child assessments are complemented by additional data sources that provide important contextual information.

Anthropometric measurements are collected to assess children’s physical growth and identify risks of stunting. Classroom observations are conducted to understand the quality of the learning environment and the nature of interactions between practitioners and children. Interviews with practitioners and principals provide insights into programme characteristics, resources, and teaching practices, while interviews with primary caregivers capture aspects of the home environment, including socio-economic conditions and learning support available to the child.

By integrating these multiple sources of data, the analysis is able to move beyond a narrow focus on child outcomes alone, and instead explore the broader set of factors that shape early development. This enables a more nuanced understanding of both the drivers of strong developmental performance and the constraints faced by children, families, and early learning programmes.

Importantly, the Thrive by Five Index is not only a measurement exercise but also a tool for accountability and action. The findings support government, funders, and practitioners to identify priorities, allocate resources more effectively, and design interventions that can improve outcomes for young children. By providing credible, comparable, and policy-relevant data at regular intervals, the study contributes to building a stronger, more responsive ECD system.

In this way, the Thrive by Five Index serves as a critical component of the national evidence infrastructure for early childhood development, helping to ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive by the age of five.