IECD shares childminding study results with partners |10 February 2014

Childminders, parents and partners of the Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) have been given an overview on the childminding services being offered in the country.

Results of a nation-wide study on the status of the services offered by childminders carried out last year were presented on Saturday in a one-day conference held at the International Conference Centre.

The conference held under the theme ‘Seychelles childminding conference: Sharing results with partners’ was sponsored by the Early Childhood Care and Education National Trust Fund.

Its aim was to share findings of the study, seek clarification and obtain feedback from those present.

Attending the conference were Designated Minister Vincent Meriton, ambassador for women and children’s affairs Dr Erna Athanasius, principal secretary in the Office of the Vice-President Jeanne Simeon and that for education Merida Delcy, chief executive of the IECD Shirley Choppy and chairperson of the ECCE trust fund Lambert Woodcock.

In his address, Mr Meriton said the results will help identify weaknesses and challenges of the childminding services in the country so that action may be taken to address these concerns and to reinforce the good practices.

“According to the last national survey, there are 6,919 children under the age of four in Seychelles and since we are a country that places great importance to the future of this vulnerable group, the wellbeing of these little ones is a concern for all of us,” he said.

Mr Meriton said as adults, parents and members of the community, we are all responsible for the wellbeing and security of our children.

He added that there is a need to work together for the betterment of our children.

Prior to the presentation of the different policy briefs by the consultants who have worked on the study, Mrs Choppy gave an overview of the childminding study.

The study was launched in July last year and took four months to be completed. It was presented and endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers in December.

Those present were given details of the findings, the strengths and weaknesses identified and recommendations.

Seven main areas were used for the study and these will be used in the policy action for childminding. These are improving quality; registration and support of childminders, health and safety;
conditions and practices, financing the childminding service for quality, early learning programme; childminding practices, training childminders; ensuring staffing quality, childminding services and childcare; parents needs, and levels of provision; quality of childminding.

After the presentations of the policy briefs, those who were taking part in the conference were able to ask questions and share suggestions.