Application process for ECD centres to reopen

WHILE the Department of Social Development has yet to announce a date for Early Childhood Development centres (ECD) and after care services to reopen, a statement was released which details the application process ECD’s will need to follow.

The department said any ECD’s or partial care facility that intend on reopening need to complete a reopening self-assessment form.

This must be submitted online or as a hard copy to the nearest district office of the provincial Department of Social Development.

“The Department of Social Development, may visit any early childhood development programme or partial care facility that intends to re-open for an onsite assessment to verify whether it complies with the minimum health, safety and social distancing measures,” read the statement.

Also read: This is what primary school looks like in lockdown

Staff, including managers, early childhood development educators, early childhood development practitioners, administrative and other support staff, either full time or part time can return to their work place, subject to measures and conditions as set out in the Disaster Management Act.

ECD centres will not be allowed to open until the Minister of Social Development announces a date for reopening.

At this stage, playgroups, childminders, toy libraries and mobile ECD’s that provide an early childhood development programme are not permitted to reopen. Online forms can be submitted via https://forms.gle/c7y8ZL5W94diuqTS6.

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