IECD holds special event and Christmas recital |10 December 2016

The Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) held its annual Christmas recital to thank its partners who have helped and supported the different projects and programmes on Early Childhood Development.

The event was held at the Seychelles Trading Company Ltd (STC) conference centre.

This year’s recital coincided with a special certificate presentation ceremony to IECD’s usual partners and sponsors who have supported the different projects in the institute’s National Action Plan for Early Childhood Care and Education, 2015-2016.

Present at the event was Captain David Savy, chairman of IECD board; board members; Linda William-Melanie, principal secretary in the social affairs department of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs; Shirley Choppy, chief executive of IECD partners, sponsors and officials and the child minders themselves.

Nine different organisations have financially supported projects related to child  health, early stimulation, school readiness, equity consideration and quality service provisions implemented by the health, education, social affairs and local government as well as projects undertaken by IECD as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. Their contributions and commitment have made it possible for ECCE sectors and IECD successfully implement their projects.

A short video on the IECD projects to showcase its achievements and appreciation of the generous donations it received was screened for the benefit of the sponsors which were notably STC, Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA), Airtel, SCAA, Constance Lemuria, Temooljee and Company, the bottled water companies Eden Spring, Fond des Liannes and H2 Eau, international sponsors the World Bank.

Nineteen child minders who have officially registered with IECD also obtained their Certificate of Registration with the child minding regulatory body. Posters on national standards on child minding services in Seychelles were also distributed to sponsors and partners while IECD also had tokens of appreciation for them.

In 2015 the IECD in partnership with ECCE sectors including health, education, social services, Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency, joined together to develop national standards for home-based child minding services in Seychelles

The main objectives of the standards are to ensure consistency across all child minding establishments, make registration of child minders and regulations of child minding services possible.

Guests at yesterday’s ceremony were entertained by schoolchildren performing Christmas songs.

“Along with the third Christmas Recital today, we share the progress of the National Action Plan for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) 2015-2016 which have not been realised without the financial support through the CSR programmes of various establishments,” said Mr Savy in his opening address.

“During this festive moment it is a fitting occasion in the company of the children to give thanks, to show gratitude, celebrate achievements and celebrate partnership while concluding the year on a joyful and peaceful note,” said Mr Savy.

He remarked IECD recognises the effort, commitment and the contribution of its valued partners and stakeholders. And that the institution celebrates not just its accomplishments but also that of its partners.