Illegal Robb St daycare shut down by public health officials

A day care operating illegally on Robb Street has been shut down by the City Public Health Department following the discovery of multiple health and safety violations. The facility, reportedly operated by a Cuban national, housed approximately seven children in what officials described as “atrocious” and unsafe conditions.
Medical Officer of Health, Dr Suzette Reynolds-Marcus, and Chief Environmental Health Officer, Abiola Baker, conducted the inspection on Friday, November 14, after receiving reports of an unregistered day care operating within a cramped residential apartment.
During the visit, the team identified several breaches of public health, safety, and operational standards required for childcare services in Georgetown. As a result, the facility was ordered closed with immediate effect.
Dr Reynolds-Marcus stated that there are basic guidelines in which day care facilities must be properly registered and compliant with mandatory regulations before they are allowed to operate.
According to the Medical Officer, legal day care operations require registration with the City Public Health Department and the Childcare and Protection Agency, along with inspections by the Guyana Fire Service and GPL.
Whereas, the Robb Street operation had fulfilled none of these requirements and was functioning as an unregulated home-based setup, outside the law.

Conditions “atrocious” and unsafe
According to Dr Reynolds-Marcus, the environment inside the illegal day care was deeply concerning.
“The hygienic conditions were atrocious: wastewater was running through the alley leading to the apartment, which was extremely cramped. There were no visible toilet facilities available for the children.”
She further reported that the kitchen area posed significant dangers.
“As we arrived, something was actively boiling on the stove. That is a serious burn hazard for children. There were also no separate beds – imagine seven children cramped onto one bed for long hours, with nothing to do but watch television. No recreation, no space to move, concrete floors, and no safe outdoor area.”

She added, “Our involvement is to shut the system down – shut the operation down. Today was their last day operating in that manner,” she said. “We will conduct follow-up monitoring to ensure compliance. A written notice outlining the infractions will be served to the operator, instructing them to cease operations immediately.”
When asked whether children were found with medical issues, she noted that no specific health hazards, such as improper medication, were identified.
“It was just general untidiness; the aim today was to stop the operation, not to determine whether the children were healthy or unhealthy.”
The City Public Health Department is urging parents to ensure that any day care they use is legally registered, inspected, and compliant with all childcare and safety regulations.