Relief funding for Early Childhood Development centres

R496-million has been set aside to cushion the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on early childhood development (ECD) centres.

The Department of Social Development said this stimulus will assist ECDs to survive the risk of facing permanent closure, allowing them to cover financial costs, including payment of employees’ salaries.

ALSO READ: Entrepreneurial training programme for Grade 12 learners

An ECD centre can be a crèche, daycare centre for young children, a playgroup, a pre-school or after-school care facility.

‘While this funding is aimed at subsidising the cost of employment for ECD services, 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 make the application on behalf of their staff, with qualifying staff including ECD practitioners, cooks, administrators and all other types of ECD employees,’ said Social Development spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant.

‘They can only use the funds to subsidise the cost of staff employment.’

How the process will work.

The value of the support provided through the stimulus package will be a maximum of up to R4 470 per staff member.

Only one application per ECD service can be made as multiple applications may result in delays in processing applications

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. If the number of applications are more or fewer than the budget available, the Department of Social Development may review the payment amounts.

Qualifying criteria

All ECD services applying will have to have a bank account in the name of the ECD service.

ECD services not currently receiving funding from the provincial Department of Social Development will need to be registered on the central supplier database. The registration number will be required for the stimulus application.

How to apply

To complete an application, visit Govchat.app.

Applications are opened and will close at 11:59pm on the 19 February, 2021.

For more information phone 08000 89 666 or visit www.dsd.gov.za.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 060 784 2695

Instagram – zululand_observer