– preparations underway

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is working with licensed childcare facilities that will benefit from its Childcare Subsidy programme to ensure they are prepared to offer optimum care.

Of the 224 facilities authorised for the programme, 124 have each been given $50,000 to make preparations, Minister Hon. Dr Vindhya Persaud said on Thursday.

“Persons accessing the subsidy would be able to place their children in licensed registered day cares, which will be opened. We know that frontline workers have issues as to where to leave their children safely so this is our effort towards this.”

Meanwhile, Director of Social Services, Mr. Whentworth Tanner gave assurances that all COVID-19 measures will be followed to ensure both children and staff are safe.  The Ministry of Health has trained all operators and they were advised on the systems needed to promote safety, he said.

“Part of that is identifying persons who may be at risk. All mechanisms will be in place, so in the event a child gets sick at the centre, there is a plan in place to address the situation,” Mr. Tanner added.

All operators must undergo a COVID-19 test before reopening their facilities.

The Childcare Subsidy Programme will provide care service for essential workers who have children ages seven and under. Categories of groups that qualify include members of the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Fire Service; frontline health workers; Human Services workers; domestic workers; security firm workers and supermarket employees.

The application form, which includes the criteria for eligibility, can be downloaded on the Ministry’s website: https://form.jotform.com/203022779944056. A printed version of the application form will be available at the Ministry’s Lamaha or Cornhill and Water Streets locations, the Childcare Protection Agency on Broad Street or the Probation Offices in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10.