Methodology - Thrive by Five Index

2024

Thrive by Five Index

Discover how the Thrive by Five Index was designed to measure what matters, fairly and reliably. Comprehensive technical details are in the Thrive by Five Index 2024 Technical Report.

National Findings

Methodology

Recommendations

Sub-Study: Non-Enrolled Children

Inside the Thrive by Five Index 2024

The Index included two study components consisting of a Main Study of
Enrolled Children and a further Exploratory Study of Non-Enrolled Children

Wards visited, across nine provinces. Reaching 11% of all wards in South Africa

Enrolled children assessed. A nationally representative snapshot of developmental status at age four

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Households visited to identify 4-year-old children not enrolled in an ELP.

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Non-enrolled children assessed. Including children outside formal early learning programmes

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Primary caregivers interviewed. Gaining insight into children’s home environments, caregiving practices, and daily routines

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ELPs observed and assessed. Evaluating programme quality, daily practices, and staffing realities on the ground

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Map of ELPs included in the 2024 Index

The sample of enrolled children

A stratified, multistage sampling strategy was used to generate a nationally and provincially representative sample of 5,001 children aged 50–59 months, attending 1,388 Early Learning Programmes.

The process began with a comprehensive listing exercise in 432 sampled wards to identify eligible ELPs and create an up-to-date sampling frame. Within each selected ELP, children were randomly chosen to participate, ensuring equal representation of boys and girls.

The sample of non-enrolled children

To better understand children outside of formal early learning, an exploratory sub-study was conducted with 272 non-enrolled children from low-income communities in three provinces. While this sample is not nationally or provincially representative, it offers important insights into the developmental status of children who are not attending any ELP.

The survey instruments

The study used standardised, validated tools to ensure consistency and comparability across diverse settings and languages. For enrolled children, eight data collection instruments were used:

Child sampling form
ELOM 4&5 Assessment Tool, administered in the child’s home language
Social-Emotional Functioning (SEF) Rating Scale, completed by practitioners
Learning Programme Quality Assessment (LPQA v2)
Facility observation checklist
Principal interview
Practitioner interview
Primary caregiver interview

For the non-enrolled sub-study, children were assessed using the ELOM 4&5, and the SEF form was completed by primary caregivers rather than practitioners.

Domains that were assessed

Early learning:
- Gross Motor Development (GMD)
- Fine Motor Coordination and Visual Motor Integration (FMC-VMI)
- Emergent Numeracy and Mathematics (ENM)
- Cognition and Executive Functioning (CEF)
- Emergent Literacy and Language (ELL)
Physical growth:
- Height for age
Social and emotional functioning:
- Social Relations with Peers and Adults
- Emotional Readiness for School

By the age of 50–59 months, a child’s abilities in language, emergent mathematics, executive functioning, fine motor coordination, and visual motor integration are reliable predictors of how well they will perform during the Foundation Phase of schooling. These domains form the core building blocks for reading, writing, problem-solving, and classroom participation, making them essential targets for early support and intervention.

The Thrive by Five Index team

We gratefully acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions to this study. Names are listed alphabetically by organisation and surname.

Core team: Simone Beukes, Tyryn Carnegie, Caylee Cook, Andrew Dawes, Sonja Giese, Gunilla Petterson Gelander, Colin Tredoux.
DataDrive2030 (extended team and consultants): Joshua Arendse, Linda Biersteker, Brinthia Dawood, Svetlana Doneva, Melicia Fernandez, Alasdair Fraser, Elizabeth Girdwood, Aimee Hare, Callum Hollywood, Sibongile Khumalo, Jesal Kika-Mistry, Tawanda Madamombe, Sobongile Moyo, Tahmeed Omar, Zenzi Pahla, Cailyn Sonderup, Liezl Worship.
Dataquest: Shani Cooper, Zisanda Dladla, Sizani Mthembu, Shepard Muleya, Nonkululeko Seloba. Regional coordinators: Johannes Bodiba, Aziza Cassiem, Phumlani Mathe, Gugulethu Mbana, Fatima Mgiti, Athi Mqakelana, Thandeka Msebenzi, Selby Nkambule, Isaac Phukubje, Letlhogonolo Ramosepele
Department of Basic Education: Janeli Kotze, Stephen Taylor
Genesis Analytics: Sue Aitken, Morongwa Marutha, Isabella Rose Miller, Amaal Salie, Jan Schenk, Elzeth Zastrau.
Geospace: Leboke Bapela, Francois Bezuidenhout, Ruan Botha, Etienne de Fortier, Nthabiseng Mafoko, Lucas Mokwena, Thulani Nhlapo, Adriaan Voors.
SALDRU: Zuri Adonis, Victoria Basopo, Paidamoyo Bodzo, Timothy Brophy, Morne Hoffman, Kim Ingle, Alansa Klaasen, Lulama Mabaleka, Theophilus Mathoma, Andrew Partridge, Nobubele Tyembile.
University of Cape Town (UCT): Cally Ardington
Other contributors: Megan Borole, Nicholas Dowdall, Kath Hall, Gregory Haugan, Grace Leach, Alicia Menendez, Mark Tomlinson, Servaas van der Berg, Gabrielle Wills.