CPA unveils regulations for day care service providers

Jul 07, 2016 News

The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) within the Ministry of Social Protection is seeking to monitor and boost the level of service provided by early childhood/day care operators across the country.

As such, the Early Child Development Unit under the same Ministry collaborated with CPA and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) yesterday, to launch the childcare services regulations.

Scores of care providers convened at Regency Suites Hotel, Hadfield Street Georgetown to witness the launching.

Among the keynote speakers of the event were Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, Executive Officer of Early Childhood Development Unit and UNICEF representative Poalo Marchi.

In her remarks, the Minister noted the importance of adequate documentation for Early Childhood/Day Care Centres. She stressed the importance of protecting the nation’s children and ensuring every child is afforded early nurturing experiences as a foundation for their adult lives.

According to the Minister, the enforcement of the regulations is to provide structure and safety points which will help to guide day care providers.

“The care providers must ensure that their registration records are in place and updated,” she said, adding that there are some instances in which day care providers fail to understand the health matters associated with children in their care.

“This can result in problems. Do not play doctors. It is important that you have records to guide you in administering the right medicine to the child or children. Otherwise seek the immediate professional medical attention,” Minister Lawrence warned.

Facilitators of the event outlined that the regulations comprise a list of guidelines for the registration and licencing of providers of childcare services.

Day care owners and early childcare providers must now satisfy the criteria outlined by the Guyana Fire Service, and the Buildings and Public Health Unit under the Georgetown Mayor and City Council before they are licenced to operate.

The implementation is a statutory requirement in keeping with the stipulations of the Childcare and Development Services Act of 2011.

Under the regulations, early childhood workers must complete a registration form provided by the CPA, have a valid police clearance, a food handler’s certificate, and medical certificate to be accredited. The documents must be submitted for the approval of CPA.

Additionally, day care centres will also be subject to annual inspection from the Mayor and City Council’s Building Inspection Unit or a Neighbourhood Democratic Council, as well as inspection from the Fire Service Department and Public Health Sector before acquiring relevant accreditation.

The registration and licence officers will conduct an assessment within two weeks after the relevant documents were submitted.

The certification is mandatory to all day care centres and early childhood facilities in the country.

Children’s access to early child care services in Guyana has been on the increase. Guyana has approximately 291 registered day care centres and early childhood facilities.

In 2004, there was the introduction of standardized training programmes for child care workers, structured parent education programmes, and establishment of centres adhering to minimum standards – all facilitated by UNICEF.

The global unit envisaged that through these opportunities, children at this age can be beneficiaries of quality early child care services.

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