April 10, 2025The Institute for Early Childhood Development (IECD) has announced the implementation of a new policy regarding staff and child quota for Home-Based Child Care Services, allowing providers to care for a maximum of 12 children. This change adjusts the staff-to-child ratio to one staff member for every six children. The new policy took effect on 1st of April, 2025, following endorsement from Minister of Education Dr. Justin Valentin.
The announcement was made by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mrs. Shirley Choppy at the IECD Headquarters in Ile Perseverance on Monday 7th April, 2025.
Mrs. Choppy explained that the policy change is a response to the increased demand for child care services in Seychelles, coupled with the Government’s budgetary constraints that hinder the establishment of child care Centres across all districts.
A survey was conducted in 2022 by the Institute to assess child care facilities, which indicated that 74% of these facilities had over 24m² of dedicated space.
“The primary aim of this policy is to alleviate the challenges parents face when trying to enroll their children in registered child care services, allowing them to benefit from the SCR 750 financial assistance offered by the Government,” she said.
Mrs. Nathalie Moustache, the Director of International Cooperation and Exchange, who also contributed to the policy’s development, presented detailed information on the new policy through a PowerPoint presentation.
She informed that under the new policy, childminders can care for up to six children on their own, which includes a maximum of two infants aged 4 months to 1 year. Alternatively, they may employ an assistant to care for seven to twelve children, provided that no more than three infants aged 4 months to 1 year are included. However, this increase is not automatic and depends on the availability of space within each service.
Out of 121 registered home-based child care providers, 86 childminders have been approved to take on two additional children each, based on the space available in their homes. Additionally, 19 providers can accept one more child. Ms. Amina Sarah, the Institute’s Accountant, informed the press that as a result of these changes to the quotas, a total of 191 extra children will be accommodated in registered child care services.
According to the budget forecast presented by Ms. Sarah, an additional budget of over SCR 1.2 million will be required for the payment of government financial assistance through the Child Care Benefit Information System Seychelles (CBISS).
The Policy on Staff and Child Quota in the Home-Based Child Care Service, has been developed temporarily in accordance with the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Act, 2022, and the National Standards on Childminding Regulations (2016), which is currently under revision.
Any violation of the requirements of this policy or any quotas established under it will be treated as non-compliance, with actions taken in accordance with the ECD Act 2022 and the Standard Operating Procedure for Non-Compliance.
The policy was well received by childminders during a recent meeting held at the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education, where they expressed their support for the changes that reflect their willingness to cater for two additional children in their care.
