How To Register Your Partial Care Service In Gauteng

Registration of partial care service is provided when a person, whether for reward or without, takes care of more than six children on behalf of their parents/caregivers. This can take place during specific hours of the day or night or for a temporary period by agreement between the parents/caregivers or the provider of the service.

Registering in Gauteng: Procedures to follow when applying for registration

After School Care DSD Registrations

Note: On 1 April 2022, the responsibility for ECD moved from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education. This means that ECD centres are no longer registered by the provincial DSD office but by the provincial DBE. However, from 1 February 2023 after school care centres are still registered by DSD.

Step 1: How to register your ECD Centre/Creche/Pre-School?

Any person intending to establish an ECD centre should contact nearest Municipal offices to apply for a health certificate/permit to operate an ECD centre.

Step 2: When in receipt of Health Certificate/Permit

Contact your nearest Regional Department of Social Development where the following will be discussed by the Intake officer:

1. ​​Registration requirements (Approved copy of a building plan, emergency plan, health certificate/permit, food handling certificate, weekly menu, clearance certificates (Part B of the National Child Protection Register or Sex Offenders Register) Section 117 and 126 Enforcement of the ACT section 304 -305)
2. Legislative mandates
3. Registration procedures
4. Norms and standards
5. Registration documents
6. Monitoring processes

The Social Worker or a person authorised by Gauteng Department of Social Development will provide the applicant with requirements for registration and relevant documents to be completed:

1. Application form (form 11 & 16)
2. Annexure A form (details and qualifications of staff members)
3. Annexure B & C form (menus for different age groups)
4. Form 29 (to be completed by the manager of the centre)
5. Applicant to apply for emergency certificate (evacuation plan)
6. Lease agreement if applicant is leasing the building
7. Organisational profile
8. Approved building plan

Incomplete documents will not be accepted and will also delay the registration process to begin. If all documents required for registration are submitted, will enable the evaluation process for registration to begin

Step 3: When all documents are properly completed

All documents listed in step 2 have been submitted, the Social Worker or any person employed and authorised by the Gauteng Department of Social Development will:

1. ​File will be allocated to a Social Worker to manage the process further
2. Conduct a site visit (assessment of the centre, general care of children administrative systems and 􀀮noncoal systems)
3. Complete an inspection form
4. Make a decision on the type of registration certificate to be issued Issue registration certificates for Partial Care Services and ECD programme. The certificates to be signed by the Regional Director:
1. Full registration certificate will last the period of 5 years
2. Conditional registration certificate will vary from 6 month to 1 year

In terms of Section 82 (1)(a) of the Childrens Act, 38 of 2005 consideration for registration should be made within six month of the receipt of the application documents.

How much will it cost the applicant to apply for the registration of Partial Care & ECD Programme?

1. Assistance provided by the officials employed by the Gauteng Department of Social Development is free
2. Registration documents and forms issued by the Department of Social Development are free
3. No fee for the issuing of the registration certificate
4. Registration as a Partial Care & ECD programme does not automatically guarantee funding
5. Registration of Partial Care & ECD programme is to comply with the legislation (Children's Act 38 of 2005)

Step 4: Monitoring of the Centre

1. The centre and the programme will be monitored continuously by the Social Worker or a person employed and authorised by Gauteng Department of Social Development
2. Site visits will be conducted to assess compliance with conditions for registration and norms and standards
3. Partial Care & ECD monitoring forms to be completed by the authorised person

What are the benefits for registration?

The benefits are in two-fold that is to protect children as well as the management of the ECD centre

1. The ECD centre will be operating legally and in compliance to norms and standards
2. The ECD centre may qualify for a subsidy
3. The ECD centre can bene􀀮t from free capacity building programme and other programmes conducted by the officials employed by the Gauteng Department of Social Development

Practitioners employed in the registered ECD centres can be trained on NQF level 4 free of charge through Gauteng Department of Education.

What are the implications if the ECD Centre is not registered? 

The centre will be contravening the Children's Act 38 of 2005 by operating illegally Notice of enforcement can be issued to such ECD centre.

The Department of Social Development may approach High Court to enforce the operator to cease operation The ECD centre is compromising the care and safety of children.

How should parents/caregivers identify a suitable ECD Centre for their children?

1. ​​Parents/caregiver should ensure that they enrol their children in a safe and secure ECD centre where the child's best interest is paramount. 
2. Parents/caregivers should verify if the ECD is registered with the Department of Social Development (registration certificate with Gauteng logo is displayed) 
3. Parents/caregivers should enrol their children in an ECD that will provide the best possible stimulation programme and curriculum to ensure that the child is ready for a primary school at an appropriate age
4. Parents/caregivers should ensure that the curriculum offered by the ECD is a recognised by the Department of Education (National Curriculum Framework, Montessori, etc.), teachers or practitioners has relevant qualifications, children are provided with suitable nutrition that matches the needs of their children
5. Parents/caregivers should honour commitments by paying the agreed upon fees for their children
6. Parents/caregivers should be part of the ECD, assist where ever possible (fundraising activities etc.)
7. Parents/caregivers are the child's first teachers therefore, parents/caregiver's involvement in all areas of their children's life is critical for their children's development.

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