SA childcare centres face scrutiny over registration and compliance issues
Birch Academy previously Smiley Kids Naturena has been operational for the past 24 years.
All childcare facilities including day mothers must be registered in South Africa while many still operate without being registered.
The government imposes strict regulations on childcare facilities in South Africa. All-day mothers, crèches, nurseries or preschools must be registered to operate. This ensures that strict standards are maintained.
Parents face difficulty when deciding on preschools. There are some Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres that do not have business rights. Business rights mean that the property must be zoned for business.
Some ECD centres are also not registered with the Social Development Department and with the Department of Education as well. Our teachers at Birch Academy are presently attending training with the Department of Education as we are registered.
ECD centres are inspected regularly by all relevant departments which includes the Health Department. The Health and Fire Department inspect Birch Academy regularly to ensure we are compliant. There must be a strict level of standard.
Parents who are preschool shopping must check before enrolling that the preschool you choose is fully compliant and registered with all relevant departments. The property must also have zoning rights to operate on.
Lorraine Martin, owner of registered preschool Birch Academy
