Minister Fernandez visits a registered ECD facility

As part of the Department of Social Development (DSD) registration drive, Minister Fernandez visited the Montessori 3 Bears Educare in Mitchell’s Plain earlier today.

Today’s visit proved helpful in demystifying the journey of registration for those ECDs struggling with compliance. 

Minister Fernandez said: “Last year, it was reported that Western Cape had approximately 542 575 children aged 0 to 4 years. Of which, are approximately 139 418 children are in registered facilities.

A harsh reality that we face is that there are approximately 361 000 children that are not attending some form registered ECD services. These unregistered services are largely in informal areas, where the facilities are struggling to meet the norms and standards for registration.

I am engaging with various conversations with our municipalities, around how we can work closely together to increase the amount of ECD facilities that are registered.

DSD has also provided recommendations to the National Minister to consider amending the regulation under review because the building plan and zoning requirements are discriminatory against poor communities where structures historically have no building plans and where organisations cannot afford new ones to be drawn up.”

R345 million 428 000 thousand has been budgeted for the current financial year towards Early Childhood Development (ECD) and partial care.

DSD provides funding to registered quality Early Childhood Development facilities that provide a range of services that comply with minimum norms and standards for ECD services to facilitate the emotional, mental, spiritual, moral, physical and social development and growth of children primarily from birth to four years.

The public can access our services by visiting any of our regional or local offices closest to them for registration, or by contacting the DSD hotline on 0800 220 250.

DSD remains committed to promoting the well-being of families with children, especially the poor and vulnerable, who are in need of care and protection the most.