August 14, 2025
Minister for Local Government & Community Affairs, Mrs Rose-Marie Hoareau Minister for Education, Dr Justin Valentin
Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Sebastien Pillay Chief Executive Officer of the IECD, Mrs Shirley Choppy Principal Secretaries
IECD Board Members Distinguished Guests Esteemed Facilitators
Our Exceptional Participants of the 14th group of PRESET Proud Families & Friends
Ladies and Gentlemen Good evening!
Honouring the 14th PRESET Group and a Decade of Empowering Child Care Providers
It is with utmost pleasure and great pride that I warmly welcome you all. Thank you for sharing this special occasion with us.
Tonight, we celebrate two significant milestones. First, we honor the 14th Pre-Registration Sensitisation Training (PRESET) group for successfully completing their initial training. Second, we mark ten remarkable years of this transformative initiative aimed at empowering child care service providers as they step into the profession. A heartfelt thanks to the committed facilitators whose expertise and passion have made this possible. It has been a decade of growth and lasting impact on the holistic development of young children and ECCE.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is widely recognized that rigorous training and ongoing support are essential. Without them, child care providers struggle to build the trusting relationships that underpin early learning. Well-trained childminders create vibrant and stimulating learning environments that benefit both the children and their own professional growth.
Training equips childminders with the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for supporting child development, early learning, health, safety, and family engagement. Young children thrive best when supported by skilled, warm, and engaging caregivers who provide high-quality early learning experiences, preparing them for formal school and future success.
The PRESET programme was developed on this foundation, aimed at empowering childminders for the important role they play, has achieved significant, far-reaching impact and success in shaping the development of young children.
At this juncture, I wish to inform the audience that the Institute encourages its regulatory staff to participate in the training to familiarize them with and learn more about the national standards. Many staff members have completed the programme and received certificates, including two dedicated staff this year who will soon be recognized in this cohort. Their identities will remain confidential until they come forward in a moment.
Reflecting on a Decade of Impact
Ladies and gentlemen, ten years ago, this programme was launched with a simple yet powerful mission: to equip passionate individuals with the knowledge and skills to nurture young minds safely, lovingly, and professionally. Since then, hundreds of childminders have completed the training and begun practicing with confidence.
We have witnessed past participants implementing ten national quality standards—creating safe and nurturing environments, engaging in play-based activities, supporting working parents, upholding children’s rights, and mentoring newcomers. Some have even built a name for themselves, earned recognition and trust from parents and the community.
Among many inspiring stories, two stand out. One childminder sold her furniture to transform her home into a safe learning space, driven by her passion. The second, with a heart overflowing with love, cared for a child free of charge while the parents struggled with addiction, demonstrating compassion and dedication.
These stories remind us that becoming a child care provider is more than a job—it is a sacred calling. True childcare is rooted in conviction and impact, not convenience or income.
To the 14th Group: You Are the Future
Dear participants, today we celebrate you as we add a new chapter to this inspiring legacy. Reflecting on your journey, you have mastered the importance of national standards, child development principles, and, above all, the virtues of patience, kindness and care. This is no small achievement! The certificates you are about to receive, will be a tribute to your dedication, personal commitment, and your promise to lifelong learning.
Let these certificates be more than words on paper. What truly matters is how you utilize the knowledge and skills you’ve gained. Do not just speak about what you know—apply yourselves, demonstrate what you can do in your new service, be consistent and disciplined in your practices and most importantly, show love for children with the utmost empathy and understanding. Remember, your demeanor, attitude and rapport with parents and partners are the most vital values that will lead you to excellence in service.
You began this journey as a group of 45 in April 2025, and today, 41 of you stand here, proud and accomplished. You overcame doubts about your abilities, shared joys and fears, and most importantly, believed in yourselves. Along the way, you have experienced memorable moments of growth and learning. Individually, your experiences are unique, but collectively, you share a strong bond as members of this 14th group.
And the result? You did it! But keep in mind—this is just the beginning of your professional journey. Your certificate is a key document to initiate your registration with IECD and a passport to new opportunities for professional development, career growth, and advancement. Our dedicated officers at the Institute will continue to support and guide you through this process and beyond.
Your success is our success. We look forward to seeing the great impact you will make in the lives of the children and communities you serve.
Ladies and gentlemen, today we proudly highlight Mr. Brian Matombe, a talented local artist known for preserving traditional music, as an inspiring male participant in our programme. His involvement symbolizes progress and the vital role men play in caregiving, enriching children’s lives with diverse qualities. We congratulate him on his commitment, emphasizing that nurturing children and culture are both essential for our nation’s future. We also encourage more men in communities to participate in early childhood care, helping to foster societal change and model compassion for the next generation.
The Bigger Picture: Why Childcare Matters?
Childcare is crucial in our rapidly changing society, requiring a qualified, professional, and compassionate ECCE workforce. While global, such as the UNESCO Tashkent Declaration, and SDG 4.2, emphasize this, Seychelles has seen significant progress over the past decade. However, more needs to be done to ensure all families have access to quality childcare and early education, regardless of socio-economic background. Achieving this depends on well-trained ECCE personnel, adequate funding, and innovative capacity-building initiatives to meet diverse developmental, social, and emotional needs.
Research shows that the competence of childcare providers directly impacts children’s learning experiences and outcomes. In response, IECD continues to strengthen the ECCE workforce through various training programmes, including Recognition of Prior Learning, certifications, and professional development, as outlined in the Seychelles ECCE Framework 2023, the IECD Strategic Plan 2022-2026, and the National Action Plan 2025-2027. These initiatives aim to ensure that both existing and prospective ECCE personnel are adequately trained and well-equipped for their vital roles, and to strengthen an inclusive, high-quality ECCE system for all children. As a UNESCO Category 2 Institute, capacity building remains a key focus, led by the Advocacy, Information and Capacity Building Section.
Embracing Your Role as Champions of Our Nation’s Future
So, dear participants, this is where you fit into the scheme of things. You have been thoroughly prepared as the frontliners—those who awaken and nurture the natural curiosity of our youngest minds, who offer a safe, caring, and stimulating environment, provide essential support to working parents, and lay the foundation for our nation’s future.
Your role as child development specialists may sometimes be undervalued or misunderstood by those who do not fully grasp what it takes to be a childminder. Yet, even if you are often regarded as quiet champions, your contributions are vital to our country’s social and economic development. As you celebrate this important milestone in your career journey, you have every reason to stand tall.
This great privilege, however, comes with an even greater responsibility. As you step into this vital profession, remember the trust placed in you by stakeholders and partners in the sector. You hold not just the care of young children in your hands, but also the promise of our nation’s tomorrow.
My advice to you as you embark on this professional journey is to:
- Carry with you the lessons learned and the spirit of collaboration that have defined your training
- Advocate passionately for children’s rights and protection—there is zero tolerance for abuse!
- Promote inclusive, caring, and stimulating childcare
- Stay curious—actively seek out and participate in future training
- Be innovative—continually learn and practice new
- Serve with love, kindness, and A Charge to You All
Before I conclude, on behalf of the IECD-UNESCO Category 2 Institute, I would like to express my sincere appreciation and deepest gratitude to everyone who has helped this new group of trainees reach this important milestone, and to those who have contributed to making the programme a success.
Firstly, a special mention goes to the Project Officer, Ms. Shelda Commettant, for leading the project; Ms. Solana Athanase for her invaluable assistance; and the staff of the Human Resources and Administration Section for their dedication and support throughout nine consecutive Saturdays. Hats off to the organizing committee for putting together this wonderful ceremony, complete with your signature touches and usual impeccable execution. Chapeau!
‘Pa zwe bliy zot! San dout, zot in fer li 14 fwa pandan 10 an anba leadership e gidans Madanm Choppy! Mon’n toultan enpresyonnen avek lafason ki zot organiz zot travay e antreprann bann aktivite. Zot ava dakor avek mwan, Lenstiti in anmenn bann rezilta remarkab e lenpakt dan devlopman pti lanfans, depi son konsepsyon! Lo non bord, mon oule eksprim mon rekonesans, felisit zot pour zot komitman e devosyon, e kontinyen fer nou fyer!
Secondly, our committed facilitators and their assistants—whose expertise and passion have shaped multiple groups of skilled childminders. To this group of participants, they have been there from the very beginning, supporting and watching each of you grow. They have been your guiding light, cheering you on at every step, offering invaluable wisdom and guidance.
Last but certainly not least, our esteemed partners, former and current staff members—whose unwavering support, dedication, and effort have helped transform the PRESET programme into the lasting legacy it is today. Thank you for being here today and for your ongoing collaboration; together, we’ve achieved something truly remarkable.
Closing Note
On a final note, dear participants, we are immensely proud of you. We are proud of your accomplishments. With the new knowledge and skills, I am sure the families will entrust you with their most precious gifts. Rise to the occasion. Stay true to your mission of touching and transforming young lives.
Go forth and become the reason a child smiles today, learns and discovers tomorrow, flourishes always, and remains protected forever. Congratulations to you all! May you embrace the spirit of care and excellence in all your endeavors. The future is bright, and it begins with you, today.
Thank you, dear participants, for the invitation to the after-party. Our partners, my team at IECD and I are eagerly looking forward to celebrating this special moment with you—after all, what better way to wrap up the successful PRESET programme than with some fun and good cheer? Cheers to a job well done!
Thank you
