84% of childcare facilities across Guyana licensed to operate – MoHSSS

– 460 children benefit from childcare subsidies

In promoting safer caregiving for children across the country, all 366 childcare facilities have been visited by officials of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry (MoHSSS) in 2023, to ensure they are up to standard, the MoHSSS has indicated on Thursday. Of those 366 facilities, 308 are certified to operate, and 165 caregivers have been trained as part of its commitment to build capacity.
The licences of these childcare facilities were handed over to them during the year; this, the MoHSSS has said, would ensure the safety and protection of the 6,800 children in their care.
Some 460 children have also benefitted from childcare subsidies. This allowed 920 working parents the opportunity to choose qualitative registered daycare facilities.
The subject minister has facilitated registration of 400 caregivers throughout 2023, which has impacted the lives of some 7,300 children who attend various daycares and playgroups across the country. These activities have overall led to safer environments for children when left in the care of such facilities.
Earlier this year, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had recommended that the owner of the daycare that was responsible for the death of seven-month-old Oriyah Gravesande be charged with manslaughter. It was reported that on the day in question – March 21 – the seven-month-old died at the Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD) facility, which authorities confirmed had not been certified for years, and ought not to have been in operation.
The daycare staff had indicated to the parent of the child that the child had been discovered unresponsive. A post-mortem examination performed on the body of the seven-month-old later revealed that the infant had died from haemorrhage and compression to the neck.
In highlighting other efforts made over the year to keep children safe, the MoHSSS outlined that strides were also made to eradicate child abuse. Through the ‘Every Child Safe’ initiative, 89 campaigns were carried out across the country with the aim of targeting child abuse at the community level, with the Child Care and Protection Agency working with parents and members of the community.
Under the Streetlight Project, some 23 children have been rescued to date. The aim of this project is to remove children from the streets. A total of 172 children are in foster care, while 43 have been reintegrated with their families.
It was reported last week that Guyana will be resuming international adoption in the first quarter of 2024. Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud revealed that an average of 200 children benefitted from foster care services through the Childcare and Protection Agency this year.
In August 2021, the passage of the Adoption of Children (Amendment) Bill 2021 brought Guyana’s laws into conformity with international best practices under the Convention. (Rupa Seenaraine)