Social Development launches stimulus relief fund for ECD’s
The National Department of Social Development last week launched the employment stimulus relief fund for early childhood development (ECD) services Funded by the national treasury to the tuned of R496 million.
The fund is part of relief measures to cushion the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic on the (ECD) programmes throughout the country.
“This budget allocation is known as the Early Childhood Development Stimulus Relief Fund (ECD-ESRF) and it is part of sustaining and creating employment opportunities in the sector in light of the high unemployment rate and job losses occasioned by the pandemic,” said the departmental spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant.
Oliphant said that through the relief fund ECDs will be better placed to survive the risk of facing permanent closure and be able to cover financial costs including payment of employees’ salaries.
The digital applications opened on 5 February 2021 and will close at 23:59 on 19 February.
“In line with the eligibility criteria, the ECD stimulus package is intended for all types of ECD programmes – including centre and non-centre-based programmes. Furthermore, organisations that run, manage or oversee multiple centre and non-centre based ECD services, may also apply,” she said.
She said while the funding is aimed at subsidising the cost of employment for ECD services, for ECD services that are applying, applications for support can only be made by the operator of the ECD service and not individual staff members.
In other words, ECD services will be making the application on behalf of their staff, with qualifying staff including ECD practitioners, cooks, administrators and all other types of ECD employees. ECD services can only use the funds to subsidise the cost of employment for staff presently employed within the ECD service.
“Only one application per ECD service can be made, as multiple applications may result in delays in processing applications.
“For ECD services that are applying and who are not currently operational (i.e. have not reopened owing to Covid-19), they will need to make a commitment to reopen within 60 days of receipts of funds. This is because part of the intention of this stimulus is to ensure the continuation of services in the ECD sector,” said Oliphant.
The value of the support provided through the stimulus package, will be a maximum of up to R4 470 per staff member, made as a once off payment given the allocation is R496 million.
There will be a limit of up to four staff members for ECD centres and up to one staff member for non-centre based ECD services that will be eligible for support. If the number of applications is more or fewer than the budget available, the Department of Social Development may review the payment amounts to the ECD services accordingly.
For any enquiries and further information, ECD services may contact: Contact Centre: 0800 089 666 or visit the website: www.dsd.gov.za
The department makes a solidarity call to the ECD sector to support this ECD-ESRF by assisting their constituents to complete the on-line application where such assistance is required.
“Let us stand together to leave no ECD behind,” said Oliphant.
