A Special Ceremony
On Thursday 7th December 2017, the Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD), for the second time this year,presented Attendance Certificates to twenty-eight Childmindersupon successful completion of the pre-registration training programme. A second group of thirty-sixChildminders were also awarded Certificates in Basic Pediatric First Aid following a series of training conducted in the last quarter of 2017. The ceremony was a special one as it coincided with the Institute’s fifth year anniversary and took place during its annual Christmas Recital.
The special event was graced by high government officials including theMinister for Education and Human Resource Development, Mr. Joel Morgan; Minister for Family Affairs, Mrs. Jeanne Simeon; Principal Secretary of the Social Affairs Department, Mrs Linda William-Melanie and the Chairperson of the IECD Board, Captain David Savy. In attendance also were the families and friends of the Childminders and partners of the IECD, sponsors, and facilitators of the training programme.
The activity kick started with a performance by theAngels Choir, which instantly heightenedthe festivespirit. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the IECD, Mrs. Shirley Choppydelivered her welcome remarks which recounted the institute’s successes throughout 2017. She offered her gratitude to all the partners, sponsors, facilitators, IECD staff and to all those who contributed to the many achievements of theorganization.
The Director for Regulatory Affairs, Mrs. Louis Marie presented a brief overview of the training programmes attended by the Childminders which was based on the National Childminding Standards, Regulations 2016. Childminders were sensitized on national standards on Health, Child Rights and Protection, Staffing, Safety, Early Learning, Interaction, Administration, Nutrition, Family and Community Engagement and Physical Environment. The pre-registration sensitization and training programme is an essential first step for all Childminders before they can proceed to registration. They are now better equipped to implement the standards in their respective practices.
Awarding of Attendance certificates to Assistant Childminders. Mr. Joseph Antoine, Mr. Terence Dodin and Mr. Brian Cupidon, Seychelles first men to have attended the pre-registration training and to join the childminding service.
The Ministers in attendance and the Chairperson of the IECD Board received a token of appreciation on behalf of the IECD for their unwavering support for all projects initiated by the Institute. Six Childminders who participated in activities as part of the pre-registration training also received tokens of appreciation. A selection of Posters of the recently launched ECCE Awareness Campaign was presented to the Chairpersons of the 4 ECCE Technical Teams by the Director of Advocacy and Information, Ms Julina Francoise.
The ceremony ended with a Christmas jingle Potpourri by the Angels Choir.
