About registering a partial care facility - Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility

If you take care of more than six children (0-6 years) on behalf of their parents or caregivers during specific hours of the day or night, or for a temporary period, by agreement between the parents or care-givers, you can apply for the registration or conditional registration of a partial care facility - Early Childhood Development (ECD) facility at your nearest Department of Social Development or Municipal office.

To establish or operate a partial care facility - ECD facility, also known as a crèche, the facility must be:

• registered with the provincial government where the facility is situated
• managed and maintained accordingly
• in compliance with the following national norms and standards:
• a safe environment for children
• proper care for sick children or children that become ill
• adequate space and ventilation
• safe drinking water
• hygienic and toilet facilities
• safe storage of anything that may be harmful to children
• access to refuse disposal services or other adequate means of disposal of refuse generated at the facility
• a hygienic area for the preparation of food for children
• measures for the separation of children of different age groups
• the drawing up of action plans for emergencies, and
• the drawing up of policies and procedures regarding health care at the facility.

Partial care facilities which care for children with disabilities or chronic illnesses must:

• be accessible to such children
• provide facilities that meet the needs of such children
• provide training to persons employed at the facility

A partial care facility may qualify for funding from the department if it complies with the norms and standards, and if the facility is in a community where families lack the means of providing proper shelter, food and other basic necessities of life to their children.

What you should do

• Apply for the registration or conditional registration of a partial care facility - Early Childhood Development (ECD) at your nearest Department of Social Development or Municipal office where you will be given Form 11 to complete.
• Your application must contain the following:
• Your particulars (ID, address and telephone numbers, etc)
• the physical and postal address of the partial care facility
• the number of children that will be accommodated in the facility
• your qualifications, skills and experience
• a description of the contents of the programmes and services to be offered, including the aims and objectives.
• Submit the following:
• a business plan containing:
• the business hours of the partial care facility
• the fee structure
• the day care plan
• the staff composition, and
• the disciplinary policy.
• the constitution containing:
• the name of the partial care facility
• the composition, powers and duties of the management.
• an original copy of the approved building plans
• an emergency plan
• clearance certificate
• a health certificate from the local municipality.
• Continuous assessment visits by officials from the Department of Social Development and the municipality will be made to your facility.

Timeframe

It may take up to three months for your  Registration Certificate to be issued.

How much does it cost

The service is free.

Forms to complete

Forms 11 is available at your nearest Department of Social Development or Municipal office.

Who to contact

Department of Social Development provincial offices contact list