ECD centres not all open
After the North Gauteng High Court ruled on 6 July that all private and NGO-run Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs) may re-open, George Herald asked local facilities if they have opened and how they are coping with the unusual circumstances.
Sue du Toit, director of George Child and
Family Welfare, says they have completed their selfassessments, sanitised the buildings and done an assessment on the number of parents who want their children to return, but have not yet officially opened any of their five ECDs. "We have however been feeding the kids from the centres who come to collect food during the week since lockdown."
Maryna de Vries of Life Community Services also said they have thus far followed all procedures as laid out by the authorities.
Currently, 33 of the usual
150 children have returned, but numbers are increasing daily. "Staff and parents on the most part were delighted," she said. Due to the smaller number of children, not all the staff could return to work yet, but those that have, are excited to be working again.
The Western Cape Minister of Social Development,
Sharna Fernandez, said in a press release that the province welcomed the ruling that all private and NGO-run ECDs may open, as many parents had to return to work under Alert Level 3 with no alternative care options for their young children.
She asked all the centres that intend to re-open, to abide by the
ECD operating protocols and guidelines which can be found on the department's website: www. westerncape.gov. za/site-page/statereadiness-reopening-partialcare-services.