THE Wentworth Crèche Forum and Durban Child Welfare offer parents tips for ensuring their children are kept safe when attending early childhood development (ECD) centres.
* The name and address of the person taking your child to crèche and picking them up must be known to the crèche.
* Ensure the driver transporting your child is a safe driver and that they escort your child onto the crèche and into the care of a teacher.
* If someone new needs to drop off or fetch your child, they must be accompanied by a written letter giving your consent and you must contact the crèche beforehand to apprise them of this change.
* Older, school-age siblings should not be entrusted with the responsibility of collecting children as this places them at risk.
* Teach your children safety measures such as not talking to any adult not known to them.
* Young children should not be left alone to wait for transport at stations or bus stops.
* Screen ECD centres carefully before choosing a crèche for your child, including reference checks and speaking to other parents.
