Ensuring children’s safety

“The purpose of registering the facility is to ensure that children are cared for and protected in a safe environment.”

If you are running an unregistered Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre, you are breaking the law which can have serious consequences. Tebogo Itumeleng, Chief Director: Social Welfare and Specialised Social Services at the Gauteng Department of Social Development, says ECD centres have to be registered by law. “The purpose of registering the facility is to ensure that children are cared for and protected in a safe environment. Parents will also know that their children are taken care of in recognised facility that meets the necessary ECD centre norms and standards as prescribed by the Children’s Act,” explains Itumeleng. 

Anyone who wants to run an ECD centre has to note the following requirements:

• The person/facility must comply in terms of the ECD norms and standards as prescribed by the Children’s Act.
• The facility must meet the requirements for registration.
• The facility must also comply with municipal bylaws and other related legislation.

There is no closing date for registering an ECD facility and registration is free.