Boksburg ECD facilities face bleak future if they can’t open soon

Despite the easing of the lockdown to level three, early childhood development (ECD) centres across the country remain closed until further notice.

The shutdown of ECD facilities has had a negative impact on business owners and their staff. This has also left many parents confused in regards to who will supervise and care for their children while they are at work.

The Advertiser spoke to Boksburg ECD principals who have been hit hard by the lockdown.

Natasha Barros, from Tiny Little Eggs Day Care Centre, in Van Dyk Park, said she had to reduce the school fees during lockdown so that she can cover the mortgage as well as rates and taxes.

“We have applied for the Covid-19 UIF fund, but we haven’t received anything yet. I also applied for the small business relief fund, but the application wasn’t approved. Luckily, my husband has returned to work, so he’s the one whose looking after us now,” she said.

She mentioned that some of her policies have already lapsed because she hasn’t been paying them for the last two months.

“If they don’t allow us to return to work in the coming months I’ll be forced to close down because I will be too deep in debt. My ECD business is my only income; I have no other income,” she said.

The ECD principal highlighted that when government allows them to operate again, she will have to reduce the number of children at her ECD and some of the teachers, as part of her preventative measures against the spread of Covid-19.

“When we re-open, we will scan the children and sanitise them every hour. I have already installed sanitisers on the walls, we have disinfected the whole school, washed all toys and every single pencil. I have so far bought 50 children’s face shields and food stands,” Barros said.

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She hopes things will go back to normal not only for her but for her staff as well because they have also been suffering. She advises parents to start teaching their children to wear masks and to use sanitisers regularly.

Junior Academy owner Suretha Barnard said the lockdown has been an emotional rollercoaster ride from the time they were informed that schools had to close.

‘As educators, our first concern is that of our learners, concerns for their safety, health, emotional state as well as development for an uncertain period of time. We are worried and deeply moved by parents informing us of behavioural changes and even sending us videos of their children crying, wanting to come to school.

“As parents contacted us to inform us of salary cuts, retrenchments or being laid off, our concerns grew because not only do we lose their income in fees, but one cannot help to worry about the living conditions these little human beings are going to be faced with in due time,” she said.

Barnard said during the lockdown they have tried to accommodate parents as much as possible by giving them discounted fees as well as one month’s exception from paying fees.

“This being done, we have still had numerous cases of parents giving notice or not contributing fees at all. Our expenses need to be met as well, rates, taxes, bonds, other service providers need to be paid in order for us to be able to open when lockdown is finally over for our industry.”

Barnard said during the last few weeks they have witnessed much growth and joy, as children, parents and teachers engaged in online learning. While this mode of teaching and learning is different to face-to-face interaction, they have been able to continue with the curriculum because of the support of parents and the enthusiasm and dedication of teachers.

“Our schools are ready and able to proceed, with the safety of our employees, learners and our communities as our top priority. We look forward to welcoming our Grade Rs back as soon as we receive the go-ahead. We have purchased equipment to screen all children entering the school, and everybody needs to wear masks at all times.”

She highlighted that nobody except the children will be given access to the school without prior arrangement and appointment.

“Disinfecting all children as well as staff before entry to the school will be allowed (shoes, clothing, bags) and constant daily disinfecting of all surfaces and equipment. The schools will be sanitised twice a week after operating hours. These are but a few of the measures put in place to make it safe for our children as well as our educators and staff,” Barnard said.

Brenda Dlamini, from Samkelo ECD Centre, in Mapleton, said she’s also swimming in debt because of the lockdown.

“The teachers I have employed are sole providers and I’m also a single mother. Things have been tough for all of us. My things are stuck, I couldn’t pay accounts or buy food at home. We haven’t even received the groceries we have been promised from the municipality,” Dlamini said.

She added that in the townships children are always playing in the streets, which makes them vulnerable to the virus and hunger.

“ECD centres have been keeping these children safe by keeping them off the streets. Now that we can’t operate these children have nothing to do, hence, they go and play in the streets,” Dlamini said.

She stated they are ready to welcome back the learners as they have bought sanitisers and have disinfected the classrooms.

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