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When are daycares reopening? 'No room to deviate' says DSD

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Why the Covid-19 coroavirus has a seemingly milder clinical course in children than in adults is one of the many unknowns. Picture: iStock/ Coscaron
Why the Covid-19 coroavirus has a seemingly milder clinical course in children than in adults is one of the many unknowns. Picture: iStock/ Coscaron

Many families are breathing a sigh of relief as childminders are returning to work under Level 4 lockdown regulations, but for those who rely on daycare centres to care for their children during the workday the slight lifting of the rules has caused more stress.

More parents are now able to return to work on Level 4, but with no one to watch the kids, it's impossible for some families.

We asked the Department of Social Development (DSD), which regulates early childhood development centres (ECDs) in South Africa, if they could offer any idea of when these centers could be allowed to re-open.

And, since childminders are now permitted to return to work, would this include childminders for small groups of children in a private household setting?

Joshua Chigome, Spokesperson for the Minister of Social Development, told us that they are aware that the number of queries from ECDs regarding the re-opening of ECDs have escalated since the announcement from the Minister of Basic Education on the Basic Education Sector Plan. 

"As a department we are bound by the regulations to the declaration of national disaster declared by the President of our country,"he told Parent24.

"This in all practicality means that as soon as the national Department of Social Development declares that ECD facilities can re-open, we will implement this instruction."

"Unfortunately, there is no room to deviate," he added.

He assured us that he understands the gravity of the situation and explained that he is in contact with the national DSD and will communicate as soon as they receive a response. 

It appears that for now, families need to keep on doing their best in these trying times. 

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