All early childhood development (ECD) centres are urged to register with the Department of Social Development (DSD).
According to the Department, since August 2019, 1 545 ECDs have been registered, out of a total of 4 685 (estimated) ECD facilities across the province.
“This registration will benefit the children as they will be learning in an integrated and holistic way,” Minister Sharna Fernandez said in a statement. “They will be provided with the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
“This call to register, is a statutory requirement, and there are consequences for non-compliance. I also wish to urge all parents and guardians to enquire whether or not their children are attending a registered ECD facility.”
The South African Early Childhood Review (2019) reports around 702 000 children under age 6 live in the province, yet a 2017 StatsSA showed 361 000 children were not attending some form of registered ECD service despite a push by national government to make early childhood development compulsory.
A registered ECD has to meet the norms and standards as stipulated by the Children’s Act.
The DSD has developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Reporting and Management of serious Injury, Abuse and Death of Children in Registered and Unregistered Facilities in the province.
To register, obtain Form 16 from any DSD regional office, or contact the department toll-free at 0800 220 250.
