April 11, 2025On Wednesday 9th April, 2025, students enrolled in the Child Care and Development Course at the Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (SITE) gathered for a special session on laws and regulations in Early Childhood Care and Education, with a particular focus on the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Act, 2022 and its accompanying regulations. The session was led by officers from the IECD-UNESCO Category 2 Institute, aimed to equip future early childhood educators with an understanding and skills in, the legal frameworks guiding child care services in Seychelles.
Presentations by IECD officers—Mrs. Renelle Anacoura, Ms. Vanessa Philoe, and Ms. Maria Emmanuel— highlighted how laws are important for providing high-quality care and education. As these students start their path to becoming qualified child care providers and educators, they learnt not only about the rules but also felt inspired to create nurturing environments where every child can grow, learn and succeed.
Understanding Regulations
One of the key takeaways from the session was learning about the rules that guide child care services. The officers explained the two main categories: home-based and centre-based services, and how each follows the ECD Act, 2022. They also showed how to register new child care facilities, including how to apply for a license, what is needed, and why obeying these laws is important.
Financial Assistance
Another essential aspect talked about by the Officers was financial assistance available to registered child care providers. This support can help improve facilities and the quality of care given for children. For students planning to manage their own child care services, this practical advice is useful and encouraging.
Understanding the Key Provisions of the ECD Act, 2022
As students learned more, the IECD officers explained the main parts of the ECD Act. They showed what the law means and how it helps regulate child care services, knowing this is crucial for future educators and child care service providers to understand how the law affects their work.
Licensing, Inspections, and Compliance
A significant chunk of the session focused was dedicated on licensing and inspection. The officers stressed how the routine inspections help ensure child care services meet established quality standards. They also talked about what happens if a facility doesn’t follow the rules and fails to meet these standards, such as compliance notices, suspensions, or losing their licenses and certificate of registration.
Understanding these procedures is essential for students, as it shows that following the rules and standards help create safe, high-quality environments for children.
Upholding High Standards and Violations
At the end of the talk, the officers discussed the importance of the following rules and reinforcing regulations in the early childhood sector. The students learned about various offenses related to child care services and the penalties that come with not meeting standards. This reminded everyone of the important responsibility child care service providers have to keep children safe and well-cared for.
A Call to Action
By the end, students gained a clearer understanding of the responsibilities and expectations that await them in their future careers. They are encouraged to actively help maintain high standards so that children get the best possible start in life.
Overall, the session was a perfect blend of useful advice with inspiring messages. It showed how important legal rules are and highlighted the vital role child care providers play in shaping the future of early childhood care and education.
