Dear {name},

As we mark the midpoint of the year, it's hard to believe that our Institute has been as busy as ever! The past few months have been particularly eventful, with numerous projects being implemented and completed across all Sections  and Unit.

One notable highlight has been the CEO Secretariat’s focus on the launch of the Child Care Benefit Information System Seychelles (CBISS), a newly developed digital platform for the Government's Child Care Financial Assistance scheme. This innovative initiative has streamlined the process of applying, processing, and payment under the scheme, making it more efficient and convenient for all involved.

In the Research, Data Management and Knowledge Production Section, preparations are underway for the 6th edition of the Assessment of Early Learning Readiness for children aged 3-4 years old, set to start in August 5th. 

The Home-Based Child Care Section, within the Regulatory and Quality Assurance Division has for this year trained a group of 43 individuals seeking to register their services with IECD and become certified childminders.

The Centre-Based Child Care Section from that same Division is wrapping up its work on the new Early Childhood Development (National Standards for Child Care Centres) Regulations 2024. Meanwhile, the Section in collaboration with Early Learning Programme (ELP) team is engaging with working parents in early stimulation and learning activities. This project has successfully rolled out in two large organisations namely Airtel Seychelles and the Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC).

Across borders, our International Cooperation and Exchange section has made significant strides, hosting our first international event since becoming a Category 2 Institute under the Auspices of UNESCO, in October, 2023. The Regional Workshop on the Tashkent Declaration and Commitments to Action for Transforming ECCE for countries of Southern and Eastern Africa, held in June this year, was a resounding success. 

As we look ahead to what's in store, we're excited to share more updates and insights from across the Institute in this edition of our inaugural e-newsletter.

For the first time, the majority of parents whose child is enrolled in a registered child care service have re-registered on a new digital platform (CBISS) for government child care financial assistance. This digital platform, initiated by the IECD, in collaboration with the DICT and developed by Space 95, was launched in June as part of the Government's Digital Economy Agenda. Last month marked a significant milestone for CBISS. It was the first time, that the payment transaction between IECD's Accounts Section and the Treasury Department, was undertaken electronically and mediated via the CBISS system. This state-of-the-art system aimed at enhancing efficiency and convenience for users.

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The second-largest group of aspiring childminders to date has successfully completed the Pre-Registration and Sensitisation Training (PRESET) programme, a mandatory gateway for those seeking to register their child care service. The 43 participants, comprising 2 males, celebrated their achievement at a presentation of certificate ceremony held at the Savoy Resort and Spa in August, marking a significant milestone in their journey to becoming certified childminders.

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The Early Learning Readiness Assessment is now open for registration for all children aged 3-4 years old in both registered and unregistered child care facilities! Don't miss this opportunity to ensure your child's smooth transition into crèche or preschool and book your assessment today! 

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Managers and staff at the Child Care Centres, are now educated on the new proposed Early Childhood Development (National Standards for Child Care Centres) Regulations, which aim to ensure quality standards in centre-based child care services in Seychelles. The regulations cover essential aspects, including staffing, administrative duties, and training, as well as physical planning and development, space requirements, and safety and security measures to guarantee the well-being of children. Additionally, the regulations emphasize public health, personal hygiene, nutrition, children's rights, early stimulation, learning, and interaction programmes. The campaign, launched in March, aimed to prepare the centre's staff for the imminent implementation of the regulations once endorsed by the Government.

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As a newly established Category 2 Institute, IECD in collaboration with UNESCO embarked on its inaugural mission, bringing together over 30 government officials and ECCE experts from the neighboring region to Seychelles. This first gathering aimed to evaluate the progress made since the adoption of the Tashkent Declaration on ECCE in 2022. The high-level meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to reflect on their collective achievements, share best practices, and identify challenges and opportunities for further collaboration and cooperation.

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