The universalisation of preprimary year Grade R through the public school system in terms of the White Paper on Early Childhood Development, 2001, has made early childhood education in the year prior to the start of formal schooling universally available. I am looking forward to the policy process that will address the feasibility of introducing two years of universal access to early childhood education before primary school, as proposed by the National Development Plan. The introduction of pro-poor education policies such as no-fee schools in the poorest areas has ensured that poor learners have access in fee-paying schools through the national norms and standards for public school funding and the exemption of parents from payment.