Berbicians are now in a position to have their children taken care of at Day Care centres and playgroups that meet the minimum standards set by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Saint Francis Community Developers (SFCD.)This was so after four day care centres in Region Six under the auspices of the Saint Francis Community Developers (SFCD) were upgraded and recently commissioned and passed as meeting the Minimum Standard set by the world body.The SFCD, which is a leading non-governmental organisation in Guyana and the Caribbean, has a number of support groups throughout the Ancient County. Many of the support groups have play groups/day care centres as part of their set ups.During the latter part of last year, four of the centres were targeted for upgrades. UNICEF, through the SFCD, doled out $5.3M to upgrade and lift the standard of the centers. Contracts for the projects were signed in October with the work commencing in November.One of the playgroups to benefit from the upgrades is the Little Angels Playgroup in New Amsterdam. This facility is being run by the All Saints Presbyterian Development Centre (ASPDC) at Princess Elizabeth Road and Vryheid Street in New Amsterdam.The Greater Glory Playgroup operated by the Albion Chapel EmpowermentCentre at Fyrish, Corentyne; The New Beginners Playgroup run by the Mibicuri Community Developers in Black Bush Polder; and the New Light Playgroup operated by the Eversham Community Developers on the Corentyne are the others.The Little Angels Play Group benefited from a $ 1.3 million upgrade with most of the work being done voluntarily by students of the New Amsterdam Technical Institute under the guidance of Lecturer Debra Leitch.The Greater Glory Play Group of Fyrish received a $1 million improvement while New Beginners Play Group of Mibicuri Black Bush Polder was expanded and improved at a cost of $800,000.The New Light Play School at Eversham was the beneficiary of a $1.1 million makeover. Upgrading of all the facilities included repairs, expansion and repainting, tiling the floor, putting in sick bays,NFL Jerseys Clearance, racks for shoes and clothing, cradles, ceiling fans, play area and adequate water supply.UNICEF Programme officer responsible for education, Michelle Audrey Rodrigues, headed a team that included representatives from The University of Guyana Turkeyen and Berbice campuses, and the Georgetown Municipal Day Care centre, to the commissioning ceremony.Speaking at the official launching ceremony which was held at the headquarters of the SFCD at Rose Hall Town,Cheap NBA Jerseys China, Ms Rodrigues told early child caregivers that they have a role to play in the development of children which involves the integration of health, education, equality and protection and stated that one of the body primary focus at the moment is capacity building.Speaking about some of the work that UNICEF has been doing she mentioned the sponsoring of 27 persons who are participating in a two year certificate programme of Early Childhood Development at the University of Guyana.Each individual,Soccer Jerseys From China, she stated, has been sponsored to the tune of $147,000. Some work is also being done with graduate nursery teachers who would be used to enhance the programme.Another area that UNICEF is looking at is establishing a centre of excellence for Early Childhood Development at the University of Guyana.She said that they were very pleased with what they have seen so far. She stated that generally, a lot has been achieved,Wholesale NFL Jerseys China, but a lot more still needs to be done. She warned officials not to become complacent.She said the playgroups “were an opportunity to reach the most vulnerable groups and the most vulnerable children”. It is the responsibility of the caregivers to ensure the children are protected.Rodrigues also highlighted the need for legislation and policy for child care centres to operate under in Guyana.All the day care centres under the auspices of the SFCD will see UNICEF paying for three additional staff who will be trained in First Aid, Emergency preparedness and response and food handling.Apart from Day Care facilities UNICEF had provided some of the centres with refrigerators, outdoor playing equipment,Authentic Jerseys China, books and toys and also arranged institutional support (training, orientation).Also speaking at the Ceremony was President of SFCD, Alex Foster,Cheap Jerseys Supply, who described the long and fruitful partnership that UNICEF and SFCD share.