Social Development
With regard to early childhood development (ECD) centres in the province:
- Whether there is a policy on the (a) number of ECD centres allowed in one geographical area and (b) ratio of children to ECD practitioners allowed in each class; if not, why not; if so, who monitors the implementation of this policy;
- whether any unannounced visits are undertaken by her Department to ECD centres to monitor compliance with COVID-19 regulations; if so, how many unannounced visits does her Department conduct to ECD centres per month;
- 3) (a) how many ECD centres are currently open in Mitchells Plain and of these (b) how many are funded by the Department of Social Development
a) There is no limit in the number of ECD centres allowed in a geographical area, as long as there is a need for access to a facility. Each ECD centre has a limited number of children that can be accommodated.
b) The Children’s Act norms and standards prescribe a specific child practitioner ratio according to age. The staff-child ratios are as follows:
o Children between the ages one month and 18 months - 1:6.
o Children between the ages 18 months and three years - 1:12.
o Children between the ages three and four years - 1:20.
o Children between the ages five and six years - 1:30.
The number of children that can be accommodated in each class is determined by the municipality and is based on 1.5 to 2 square meters per child.
A monitoring plan for Covid 19 monitoring was developed, but could not be fully implemented due to lockdown restrictions and to the ECDs being closed since 15th March 2019. ECD centres started to re-open since November 2020 and the Department had to adjust to new monitoring schedules. Complaints of non- compliance with Covid 19 regulations are prioritised and investigated.
a) We have 304 ECD facilities that are currently operating and 47 ECD facilities that are permanently closed.
b) 40 ECDs are funded
