Early Childhood Regulations

1
Early Childhood Regulations

• Details of Qualifications
• Records and Reports
• Health and Safety Requirements
• Educational Programme requirements
• Compliance with Policies and Standards

2
Regulation and Monitoring of ECI

• Early Childhood Act (an act to provide for
  the regulation and management of ECI and for
  other connected matters)
• Early Childhood Regulations
• Early Childhood Policies and Standards

3
Early Childhood Act Registration Requirements I

• Applicant gt 18 years
• Applicant is a fit and proper person
• Applicant or employees not convicted under
  Dangerous Drug, Offences against the Person or
  Child Care and Protection Act (Includes Board
  Directors if applicant is a company)
• Applicant or employees not convicted of offence
  involving fraud dishonesty or moral turpitude
• Applicant or employees not infirmed of mind or
  body or otherwise incapable of operating or being
  employed
• Premises meet First Schedule Requirements

4
Early Childhood Act First Schedule for Premises I

• Approved by local planning authority for purpose
• Meets requirements for flooring, roofing,
  ventilation fencing
• Meets Public Health Requirements for food storage
  and preparation
• Proper lighting, electrical supply, safe drinking
  water, garbage disposal and sewage
• Adequate sleeping devices and toilet facilities
• Adequate space per child (1.9 m sq)
• First aid and fire- fighting equipment
• Adequate storage space
• Adequate non-toxic play material
• Access for disabled for all new facilities

5
Early Childhood Act First Schedule for Premises
II

• Premises should have -internal play
  area -access to outdoor play area -sick
  bay -separate bathroom facilities for staff
  and children -food storage and
  preparation area -dining area -napping
  area -administrative area -instruction
  area for children

6
Other Requirements Under Act

• Employees must meet qualification requirements
  as to training in the care of children
• Corporal punishment shall not be used in any ECI
• Proper record keeping by institutions
• Operators must allow prescribed inspectors onto
  property

7
Registration Process I

• All ECIs must apply for registration within 3
  months of commencement of Act
• Use prescribed form and submit to Commission
  along with - photographs -reference -JFB
  Report -PH Report -Premises details -Fees
  charged -Employees Medical, FHP, job
  descript. -Registration Fee

8
Registration Process II

• Within 15 days, appointment for inspection made
• Possible outcomes of inspection Full
  registration Permit to Operate with time
  scale for specific improvement Refusal
• Appeal process exists
• Registration valid for 5 years
• Certificate must be displayed
• Can be cancelled or suspended

9
EC Contacts with Health Service

• Antenatal Period
• Birth
• Six weeks
• 3 months
• 5 months
• 12 months
• 18 months
• 4-6 years