During the past two years the Children's Institute and the South African Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (SASPCAN) have been facilitating the Children's Bill Working Group to generate debate and formulate policy positions to ensure that the best possible provisions for children are included in the Bill. For this purpose sub-sector groups were established to work on submissions related to certain areas of the Bill.

For sub-sector input on sections of the Bill related to ECD, the Children's Institute provided research and advocacy assistance and support to the South African Congress on Early Childhood Development and the Early Leaning Resources Unit. Over a period of three months, the three organisations facilitated a workshop for ECD representatives from all nine provinces, produced a discussion document and wrote and presented the ECD submission to Parliament.

The written and oral submissions covered the most important elements for Early Childhood Development services. These included a national policy framework that is needed to co-ordinate the work of the Departments of Social Development and Education, which are responsible for children falling in the age group in need of early childhood development. The submissions were very clear on the need for updated norms and standards for registration and subsidisation of crèche facilities to ensure that children in the poorest areas can access the good nutrition, educational stimulation, safety and play facilities available at crèches.