In a ceremony held on Saturday 8th July, 2023 at the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) Conference Room, a group of prospective childcare providers having recently completed their Pre-Registration, Sensitisation and Training Programme with IECD received an insurance voucher worth SCR2000 from H Savy Insurance (HSI). The voucher was presented alongside their certificates of completion of the programme.
The joint initiative between the institute and HSI will assist the 42 training participants with the setting up of their life insurance, which will allow and encourage more, if not all, Child Care providers to invest in a life insurance for themselves and their families.
“A life insurance can be used as a long term savings for retirement, for a child’s education or for future projects. Therefore, this is a great way for them to take the first step in this direction. The voucher can be redeemed against any normal life insurance products at HSI. The voucher will be used to pay towards the insurance package they will choose. For instance, ‘Lady’s Special’ with a SCR400 rate per month,” further explained CEO Choppy, which means that this voucher can now cover a five-month payment for the childcare provider and, they can continue to pay until the insurance matures.
“We thank HSI for partnering with IECD on this great initiative and we look forward to more collaborations in the future,” stated CEO Choppy.
Although HSI could not be present at the ceremony they thanked the institute for the opportunity provided to reach out to childcare providers and eventually, more parents through this venture.
The participants received their certificates after nine weeks of thorough academic and practical sessions on the 10 National standards for Childminding Regulations (2016). The 11th cohort of prospective candidates successfully completed their basic training required to operate as a Home-Based Childminding Service. They are now eligible to start the required procedures to register their services with the IECD should they wish to continue in this line of work.
In attendance at the ceremony to award the recipients with their certificates of completion was the Minister for Education, Dr Justin Valentin.
In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of IECD, Mrs Shirley Choppy highlighted that it is befitting to promote and showcase the accomplishments of childcare providers as there is an aggressive drive internationally to strengthen ECCE systems, including training and capacity building of ECCE personnel, recruitment, qualifications and working conditions of all ECCE personnel and improve quality regulatory and quality assurance frameworks and policies to ensure that all children get a winning start in life.
Moreover, 22 registered childminders who have clocked 100% compliance to the 10 National Standards on Childminding Regulations (2016), in 2022 and 2023, were also recognised at the event. They too received a voucher of SCR2000 to start their life insurance with HIS together with their certificate of recognition.
Present to witness this milestone event were Principal Secretaries, Vice Chairperson of the IECD Board and members, Chairperson Appeals Board for ECCE, Chief Executive of the National Council for Children, partners, training facilitators, other distinguished invitees, registered childminders, participants’ family members and IECD staff.
