The comprehensive mapping of the South African early childhood development (ECD) system necessitates extensive statistical analysis to identify and quantify key factors within the country’s unique context. This study employs statistical techniques to analyze data from the 2022 General Household Survey, focusing on children aged newborn to 6 years. Factor analysis, multilevel regression, and structural equation modeling were used to identify five person-level factors (i.e., child health, ECD quality, family structure, welfare income, ECD attendance) and four household-level factors (i.e., food insecurity, home assets, home utilities, housing quality). The final structural equation model demonstrates an excellent fit and explains substantial variance in key outcomes. The findings reveal strong associations between child health and ECD attendance with attendance positively influencing ECD quality. Family structure showed a significant positive association with home assets while welfare income emerged as a significant predictor of multiple outcomes. This nuanced understanding of the South African ECD system highlights the interconnected nature of individual and contextual factors, underscoring the need for holistic approaches to ECD that address both educational and socioeconomic aspects.