New day care centre opens at Sans Soucis |22 November 2017
Parents living at Sans Soucis, a sub-district of Bel Air, as well as others in general, now have a new day care centre where they can leave their children when they go to work.
The Home 2 Daycare, located in the former mini hall of that sub-district, was officially opened yesterday as part of activities to commemorate this year’s Universal Children’s Day.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, who also holds the portfolio responsibility for local government, as well as senior officials of her ministry which is the mastermind behind the project through the Bel Air district administration, represented yesterday by administrator Alexandrine Zelia.
Other dignitaries present were Jeanne Simeon, Minister for Family Affairs; Norbert Loizeau, member of the National Assembly for Bel Air; Odile de Commarmond, principal secretary for Education; Shilla Uzice, the day care centre manager; parents; Bel Eau school children who had a special song for the day and even the day care children who did a presentation on how to keep their place tidy.
The highlight of the day was the unveiling of the plaque by Minister Mondon and DA Zelia.
Addressing the invitees Mrs Zelia said the Home 2 Daycare is another accomplishment of the Bel Air district following demand for such a facility by the district’s community.
It currently hosts 75 children from ages 6 months to 4 years old with more expected to come later.
Bel Air had a day care centre before but it was not that conducive to caring for children.
“Today I feel proud and I share the pride of the inhabitants of Bel Air and Sans Souci for having such a place where there is more security for our children and where many more parents now have a safe place to leave their children when they go to work,” said Mrs Zelia.
She urged the community to take good care of the centre so that it remains in good state.
Mrs Uzice, who has 18 years experience in running a day care, said it took some time to realise the project and it still needs some minor adjustments.
Children registered for the service come from all corners of Mahé with Baie Lazare being the furthest.
“To continue keeping the day care centre’s services at a high standard, I like reinforcing the strong points while working hard to improve on the weak ones. And to guide me in doing this I listen and act on positive comments and suggestions from parents, staff and partners like the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Education, IECD, Ministry of Health, and the Fire and Rescue Services Agency,” she said.
The transfer from the former Bel Air day care centre to Home 2 Daycare was on July 24, 2017.
The new facility boasts a section for infants which is well-equipped with cots and other necessities; shower, kitchen and playpen, among others.
The day care was also blessed by the parish priest.
The Ministry of Local Government is mandated to build, maintain and ensure equitable access to community infrastructural facilities, notably, community centres, day care centres and playgrounds.
To date, the ministry has built 13 day care centres which are each catering for the needs of 30 to 50 children and one of the priorities of the Strategic Plan (2017-2020) of the ministry relates to the decentralisation and harmonisation of public services. This would imply that early learning and care services should be appropriately located within district areas to serve the community.
The day care centres constructed by the Ministry of Local Government are rented out to day care operators and are managed by the district administration office. They provide early stimulation opportunities for children, they promote community engagement and support working parents.
