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Over 1 million children access ECD services - Newsroom - 07-04-2014
Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini says more than one million children are accessing Early Childhood Development (ECD) services throughout the country.
Addressing a post State of the Nation (SONA) Social Protection and Community Development Cluster briefing on Monday, Minister Dlamini said the number of registered ECD facilities had grown from 16 250 in 2009/10 to 21 023 by the end of 2012/13.
“Early childhood development is a vital link in the range of services aimed at achieving positive social and educational outcomes,†the minister said.
The number of children in ECD centres directly subsidised by government has also increased from 432 727 to more than 545 347 in 2013.
In the past five years, access to ECD services has been broadened significantly.
With regard to child protection services, Minister Dlamini said the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act 38 of 2005) has transformed the traditional way of child protection organisations’ service delivery model, and has ensured inclusive services to all children.
“Through this Act, many vulnerable categories of children, previously excluded from statutory service provision, are now receiving services,†she said.
The Act provides for the establishment of the National Child Protection Register, which consists of two parts. Firstly, the register has a record of abuse of deliberate neglect inflicted on specific children. It records the circumstances surrounding the abuse and deliberate neglect inflicted on the affected children.
Secondly, the register has a record of people who are unsuitable to work with children and information can be used in order to protect children against abuse from suitable persons.
The register has been operational since 1 April 2010. – SAnews.gov.za