EARLY childhood development is a crucial part of a toddler’s life.
The Children’s Act governs all the laws relating to the care and protection of children and defines the responsibilities and rights of parents.
However, it is also imperative to ensure that the crèche, in which every child is enrolled, adheres to regulations.
According to the City of uMhlathuze Childcare Services Bylaws, any person wishing to undertake the operation of a childcare or child minder service, must apply in writing to the Council for such service to be registered for the intended purpose.
If the applicant is not the owner of the premises, the written consent of the owner should accompany the application.
The Council may, before or during the consideration of the application, request such further information relating to the application as it deems necessary and may at any time before or after approval of an application, require the applicant to submit to the Council a report at his/her own cost from a registered psychologist pertaining to the applicant’s state of mental health as well as a social report on the qualifications and criminal background of such applicant.
uThungulu Municipal Manager, Mandla Nkosi said records reflect that 132 local crèches are registered.
This process involves the City of uMhlathuze’s Town Planning, Building inspectorate, Traffic, Fire, Electrical, and Engineering Sections, uThungulu District Municipality’s Environmental Health Section and final registration with Department of Social Development in terms of the Children’s Act No 38 of 2005.
‘It is extremely difficult to monitor crèches, which are not registered as they are unknown,
‘The public are encouraged to verify whether a crèche is registered or not, prior to enrolling their children.
‘Unregistered crèches can be reported to the Department of Social Development, City of uMhlathuze Town Planning and/or Environmental Health Section of uThungulu District Municipality,’ uThungulu Municipal Manager Mandla Nkosi said.
Development advantage
Richards Bay Child and Family Care Supervisor Ayanda Dumisa added that children’s self or identity is developed through what they see around them and through others, thus crèches lay the foundation of important early development.
‘Parents enrolling their children in a crèche are firstly fulfilling a child’s basic right to education
‘The child is able to relate to others and learn social and life skills.
‘In turn, the child develops an understanding of his/her identity through interaction with others,’ Dumisa said.
