By Joseph Allen
Little Learning Day Care at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, where a seven-month-old girl became ill and later died has been operating for many years without a licence from the Child Care and Protection Agency and as such has been closed down.
This is according to Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud.
“Well, I will tell you right away that the place is closed down, effectively from our end. A child has died there, we can’t have a place like that open. We were informed that the place has been in existence for 27 years but I will venture to say that the place was never licensed by the Child Care and Protection Agency”, Minister Persaud told the Sunday Stabroek.
Seven-month-old Oriya Gravesande, who died on Tuesday after being in the care of the daycare centre, succumbed due to haemorrhage and suffocation by compression of the neck, an autopsy found. An investigation has been launched by the police.
The toddler from Success, East Coast Demerara was rushed to the Ogle Health Centre on Tuesday after experiencing shortness of breath and becoming unconscious just after midday.
After being rushed to the health centre, an ambulance was called to transport the toddler to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) due to her serious condition.
The ambulance took Oriya to the GPHC and she was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
At the time of the incident, it was noted by an official of the day care that the toddler had a cold, which stymied her breathing.
Stabroek News contacted the parents of the baby then and it was explained that the child did have a cold but they did not believe that that was responsible for her death.
The family called for a full investigation into the matter.
Daycare owners and early childcare providers are required to follow protocols set out by the Guyana Fire Service, and the Buildings and Public Health Unit of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council in order for them to be certified.
These include completing the CPA’s registration form, providing a valid police clearance, food handler’s certificate and medical certificate to be accredited. The documents must be submitted for the approval by the CPA before the centre can be licensed.
The centres are monitored by the Early Childhood Development Unit, which has responsibility for ensuring early childhood facilities including daycares, playgroups, home-based care and night care are providing quality service.
Saddened by the loss and the facts revealed, Minister Persaud said that it remains of deep concern.
She further noted that the investigation must have the full effect and if there is any wrongdoing there should be no holding back from the full extent of the law being applied.
“What bothers me is that a child has died, a child has died and that is of deep concern to me and I would like to know that the investigation that has been launched by the Guyana Police Force yields some answers, and if there is any wrongdoing that the law that is there to protect children that takes full effect because my heart grieves for those parents”, she said.
Persaud said that she and her ministry will continue to support the family.
