| Sumario: | Quality education is acknowledged as an important investment in supporting the healthy development of South Africa's children and in the fight against poverty. This article argues that quality education in South Africa should be supported by a team of professionals who work together in a classroom setting to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. As one of the professions primarily concerned with issues of social justice, poverty, and development, social work is ideally suited to such a setting. This article presents findings from a project that was a joint initiative between the University of Fort Hare (UFH) Department of Social Work; the UFH Early Childhood Centre of Excellence; and the Division of Social Work, Leadership, and Public Policy at Wheelock College. It aimed to investigate the need for social workers in the early childhood development centers (ECDCs) and schools of Eastern Cape, South Africa. The survey found that 94 percent of participants felt that there was a need for social workers to be actively involved in a school setting, with students needing support and guidance for a range of social challenges. In conclusion, it was found that there is a need for social workers in the ECDCs and schools of the Eastern Cape.
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