Africa-Press – Seychelles. Prospective childminders successfully complete their pre-registration, sensitisation and training programme
The Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) has handed over another round of certificates of attendance to a group of 26 prospective childminders, after successful completion of the 10th pre-registration, sensitisation and training programme.
The handing over ceremony took place at the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) conference hall last Saturday.
This group of participants were enrolled in the programme from September 17 to November 19, 2022.
Since 2016, the training programme has allowed for 319 childminders and their assistants to gain the skills needed to build a strong foundation for a child’s health, safety, early learning and wellbeing.
With the partnership and collaboration of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) sectors and external stakeholders, a number of trainings and sessions were organised for the participants, based on the 10 National Standards, as stipulated in the IECD National Standards on Childminding Regulation (2016), needed to operate as a home-based childminder.
The 10 National Standards to be observed are: Early Learning and Interaction, Health, Nutrition, Child Rights and Protection, Safety and Physical Environment, Family and Community Engagement, Staffing and Administration.
It is to note that the current National Standards for Childminding Services are under review to align with the new Early Childhood Development Act 2022, which has just been assented to by the President of the Republic, Wavel Ramkalawan. Reviewing of the National Standards is to ensure quality service provision and to set national measures.
As of December 2022, 106 childminders have fulfilled the minimum requirements and registered their services with IECD.
“This year, we have rewarded those who have excelled and clocked 100% compliance to national standards. It shows that nothing is impossible if one is dedicated and committed towards his or her work and passionate in caring for and educating children and serving the community,” stated the chairperson of the IECD board, Captain David Savy, in his remarks on the day.
“We will maintain what we have achieved; continue striving hard as we chart our new frontier as a Unesco International Centre in 2023, under the slogan hashtag – ‘New Team; New Law; New Beginning!”, added Captain Savy.
This auspicious event also coincides with the 10th anniversary of IECD which will be celebrated in January 2023.
In attendance on the day were the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the IECD board, Captain David Savy and Sonia Mancienne; the chief executive of IECD, Shirley Choppy; chairperson of the National ECCE Trust Fund, Annie Vidot; chairpersons and members of the sectoral technical team for ECCE; the different partners and facilitators of the training among other dignitaries, management and staff of IECD along with family members of the prospective childminders.
The ceremony ended on a cheery and exciting note, where the management and staff of IECD had a special performance prepared for the occasion – a medley of Christmas carols and classic Creole Christmas songs were sung to entertain the audience, accompanied by artist and musician Clifford Alexis.
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