CRECHES are supposed to take care of our little ones, feed them and teach them.
But now daycare owners say that the City of Tshwane is making it impossible to do so.
More than 200 daycare centres in Tshwane are operating illegally because they do not meet the requirements. As a result, they also do not have access to funding from the Department of Education.
Daycare centre owners interviewed by the Daily Sun accused the DA-led administration in Tshwane of charging a lot of money for the required health certificates, which they do not have.
The principal of Amazing Grace Day Care, Selina Mbatha, said they used to be able to get funding because the administration at the time supported them.
"But since the DA took over, we have had difficulty operating. They told us that we have to pay for the 'concern-use' certificate, which costs over R80 000. This is money we do not have," she said.
Zama Ndlovu, the principal of the Thuto Pele Day Care centre, said they had to let go of some teachers because they couldn't afford to pay them.
"There is a certain number of teachers that is required for the safety of the learners, but we cannot meet that number because we can't pay them. We can't even ask parents to pay more money because some use social grants for the fees," she said.
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The principals said they had contacted city officials and even marched to their offices, but nothing happened.
Daily Sun contacted the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) about the principals' complaints. Department spokesman Steve Mabona said they were aware of the fact that there were schools operating illegally and were concerned about it.
However, an investigation by the city found that several of the ECD centres complained about were not registered.
"Accordingly, the department doesn't fund unregistered ECD centres. The day care centres must contact the Tshwane Municipality regarding health certificates.
"We can also confirm that all registered ECDs have applied for funding, and it has been approved," said Mabona.
Daily Sun has reached out to the City of Tshwane, which has yet to comment at the time of publishing.
