Notices > [Repealed] Directions regarding the phased return of children to Early Childhood Development Programmes and Partial Care Facilities > 6. Programme specific conditions for reopening of early childhood development programme or partial care facility

(1)

Despite the provisions of the Children's Act, 2005, the following requirements must be adhered to with regard to the physical space and number of children that may be readmitted to an early childhood development programme or partial care facility, so as to maximise physical social distancing and reduce the risks of transmission of COVID-19:

Type of ECD service	Inside early learning space	Outside space	Formula for number of children that may re-admitted
ECD centre	1.5 m2 (unobstructed space) per child	1.5 m2 (unobstructed space) per child	Total m2 unobstructed early learning space divided by 1.5 m2 = maximum number of children in that space.
Playgroup	1.5 m2 (unobstructed space) per child	1.5 m2 (unobstructed space) per child	Total m2 unobstructed early learning space / 1.5 m2 divided by maximum number of children in that space.
Child minder / day mother	1.5 m2 (unobstructed space) per child	1.5 m2 (unobstructed space) per child	Total m2 unobstructed early learning space / 1.5 m2 divided by maximum number of children in that space.
Toy-library	Play areas where a toy-library is providing the small play groups
	1.5 m2 (unobstructed space) per child	1.5 m2 (unobstructed space) per child	Total m2 unobstructed early learning space / 1.5 m2 divided by maximum number of children in that space.
	Passages in between shelves
	Marked distanced of 1.5 meter and moving in the same direction	Not applicable	Not applicable
Mobile ECD programme		1.5 m2 (unobstructed space) per child	Total m2 unobstructed early learning space / 1.5 m2 divided by maximum number of children in that space
Parental support programme	1 m2 per parent attending with social distance of 1 meter between seats		Total m2 space divided by maximum number of parents attending in that space
Partial care providing afterschool services	1.5 m2 (unobstructed space) per child	1.5 m2 (unobstructed space) per child	Total m2 unobstructed early learning space / 1.5 m2 divided by maximum number of children in that space

(2)

Despite the provisions of the Children's Act, and the regulations thereto, the following requirements must be adhered to with respect to age groups that may be readmitted to an early childhood development programme or partial care facility, so as to allow for a phased approach balanced with associated risks and compliance:

Type of ECD service	Age groups	Date of return	Staff to child ratio
ECD centre	3, 4, 5 and 6-year olds	Immediately subject to the appropriate and/or prescribed safety measures being in place.	Subject to strict adherence to the child to staff ratios as contemplated in the norms and standards determined in terms of section 94 of the Children's Act.
ECD centre	Birth to 35 months	Immediately subject to the appropriate and/or prescribed safety measures being in place.
Playgroup	3, 4, 5 and 6-year olds	Immediately subject to the appropriate and/or prescribed safety measures being in place.	Subject to strict adherence to the child to staff ratios as contemplated in the norms and standards determined in terms of section 94 of the Children's Act.
Playgroup	Birth to 35 months	Immediately subject to the appropriate and/or prescribed safety measures being in place.
Child minder / day mother	All age groups	Immediately subject to the appropriate and/or prescribed safety measures being in place.	Subject to requirements that a maximum of 6 children may return.
Toy-library	3 years and older	Immediately subject to the appropriate and/or prescribed safety measures being in place.	One play-facilitator per 15 children and no more one group at a time (in the case where a toy library provides group play activities
Mobile ECD programme	All age groups	Immediately subject to the appropriate and/or prescribed safety measures being in place.	One ECD educator/practitioner for every group of 10 children, with a maximum of 2 groups at a time OR Two staff members (one ECD educator/practitioner and one assistant) for every 15 children, with a maximum of 2 groups at a time.
Parental support programme	Not applicable	Immediately subject to the appropriate and/or prescribed safety measures being in place.	Maximum of 12 parents per group facilitator
Partial care providing afterschool services	All age groups	Immediately subject to the appropriate and/or prescribed safety measures being in place.	Subject to strict adherence to the norms and standards determined in terms of section 79 of the Children's Act.

(3)	Irrespective of whether an early childhood development programme or partial care facility meets the requirements contemplated in subparagraph (1), an early childhood development programme or partial care facility may not readmit more children than the number allowed in subparagraph (2).

Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)

Notices

Directions regarding the phased return of children to Early Childhood Development Programmes and Partial Care Facilities

6. Programme specific conditions for reopening of early childhood development programme or partial care facility