It’s back to the classroom for private preschools
South Coast preschools and ECDs are ready to welcome their little charges.
A High Court ruling this week has allowed private preschools and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres to re-open their doors, provided they maintain safety measures.
While this is goods news for some, others have not been so lucky, as they had to close their doors.
The educational facilities had been shut down for more than three months due to the lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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The Solidarity Occupational Guild for Social Workers and the Solidarity Support Centre for Schools (SCS) filed a case against the Department of Social Development because it said no indication was given regarding a specific date for the re-opening of these institutions.
Gauteng High Court Judge Hans Fabricius ruled in favour of the two organisations, declaring the closure of these institutions under level 3 unlawful and unconstitutional.
Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has welcomed the judgment.
However, the department emphasises that the re-opening of ECD centres is still subject to meeting the appropriate and/or prescribed safety measures.
Management of the ECD centres that are to re-open, are required to establish measures and procedures, including physical, material and programmatic requirements, as well as the requirements for the return, orientation and training of staff.
“The department will continue to work closely with ECDs to ensure that they are ready to open. An ECD centre that is not compliant with the minimum Covid-19 health, safety and social distancing measures, may not re-open,” said a department spokesman.
South Coast preschools and ECDs are ready to welcome their little charges.
“We are well prepared and ready to welcome our children, it’s a matter of parents getting in contact with us,” said Rajin Chetty, principal of Angels Academy in Port Shepstone.
The academy has spent about R30,000 readying the facility with sanitation and social distancing measures as per government regulations.
However, Robin Hood Nursery School in Shelly Beach has closed down after 12 years. Owner, Nicole van Tonder decided to sell the business after the initial reports of Covid-19 emerged in China in December 2019.
The sale was finalised in February.
“Over the years, hundreds of children have been through our doors with between 40 to 50 children at any one time. It was a heartbreaking decision,” she said.
Cams Daycare has opened its Marburg branch. “Risk management measures have been put in place and all staff have been trained,” said Charlotte Ramdhin. The safety set-up has cost about R8 000.
Smartie Pants in Umtentweni opened yesterday (Wednesday).
“We are waiting for children to return. Currently, we are at 30 percent capacity,” said principal, Jolandi Theron.
“All our safety protocols are in place including the necessary training which has been done,” she said.
To put measures in place, it has cost them about R5,000.
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