The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently commissioned four playgroups/daycare centres in Region Six which it upgraded through the Saint Francis Community Developers (SFCD).
Programme officer responsible for education, Audrey Rodrigues who headed a team of officials from UNICEF emphasized to the “early child caregivers” that they have a role to play in the development of children which involves the integration of health, education, equality and protection.
She said the playgroups “were an opportunity to reach the most vulnerable groups and the most vulnerable children” and it is the responsibility of the caregivers to ensure the children are protected.
She called on them to be alert to recognize children who suffer psychologically as a result of being abused.
She also warned the caregivers to become familiar with the slang that some people use and be observant of those who may be using drugs.
The team first toured the Little Angels Playgroup in New Amsterdam that is being run by the All Saints Presbyterian Development Centre (ASPDC).
Upgrading of the facility includes; a completely tiled floor which was done voluntarily by 27 students of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, a sick bay with complete bed, repainting of the centre and the installation/provision of racks for shoes and clothing, cradles, ceiling fans, a water play area and a water tank.
In her address, project coordinator of ASPDC, Marian Tinnie expressed gratitude for the support from the “community partners” led by Chief Executive Officer of the SFCD, Alex Foster for initiating the collaboration with UNICEF.
The playgroup/day care centre which started out with just five students in January 2009 currently has an enrollment of 36 students whose ages range from three-months to three-years-old.
She said “we were happy and proud of this accomplishment but [were] not satisfied with the prevailing conditions that prevented us from achieving our goal of being designated a modern child care institution.”
Initially, UNICEF had provided the centre with a refrigerator, outdoor playing equipment, books and toys and also arranged “institutional support (training, orientation) to improve the competence of volunteers/caregivers attached to the project,” Tinnie said.
She said too that as a result of their partnership with the United Nations Development Programme in March 2010 they constructed offices in the upper flat of the ASPDC and enclosed the lower flat to accommodate the playgroup at a cost of $4.3M.
She said when UNICEF approached SFCD with regards to improving the standards of early childhood institutions in Berbice they jumped at the opportunity and submitted a proposal.
The other groups that benefitted from the upgrade were the Greater Glory Playgroup that is operated by the Albion Chapel Empowerment Centre located at Fyrish Village, Corentyne, New Beginners Playgroup run by the Mibicuri Community Developers in Black Bush Polder and the New Light Playgroup operated by the Eversham Community Developers.
