Daycare centres receive $200,000 grant

Ten daycare centres in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, and Ten have benefited from a $200,000 grant aimed at fostering enhanced learning environments.
This comes as the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) launched its “Enhancement of Child Care and Early Learning Facilities and Development Services Grant” on Wednesday.
The grant was launched during the “International Day of Play – Play With a Purpose” event, held at Unique’s Daycare, Pre-school and Nursery School at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara.
It also aims to foster an environment of excellence and create safe spaces for children, in support of privately owned daycare facilities.
Delivering the feature address at the launch event, Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, stressed the importance of equally investing in childcare facilities and human resources.
She said the grant will assist the centres to achieve the minimum standards.
“This support does not only stop there, but these centres will also continue to be nurtured and guided by the CPA team. We will continue to do this until every centre in this country is at that stage of excellence. This includes both the physical appearance of the centres and their human resources,” Minister Persaud assured.
The grant will continue to be distributed annually to facilities that meet the requirements.
It falls under the mandate of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s CPA to keep “Every Child Safe.”
Additionally, the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative was launched at the location and is aimed at creating safer, more inclusive, and nurturing urban environments where every child can thrive.
Meanwhile, it was a heartwarming day of joyful learning and meaningful play at the location, as the International Day of Play was celebrated under the theme “Choose Play, Every Day.”
The “Play With a Purpose” event was hosted by the ministry, in collaboration with UNICEF and the High Commission of Canada in Guyana.
The event brought to life the powerful message that play is not just fun, it is essential, and that purposeful and educational play, especially in a child’s early years, plays a critical role in their development – shaping minds, building confidence, and nurturing creativity.