The 10 day care centers have until Monday, January 10 before 5.00pm to submit the remainder of their documents to the Inspectorate Department. Centers who do not comply with the aforementioned are to remain closed until they can comply. Those found open on Tuesday, January 11 will be closed by the Inspectorate.
After numerous requests by mail, telephone, and inspection meetings for more than a year, the 10-Day Care Centers will have to close their doors until they supply all the required documents for their operational license.
Existing day care centers are well aware of the requirements for a license.
Twenty-five day care centers have submitted all relevant information and have been granted an operational license to provide services in the field of child day care from the age of four until they are ready to go to kindergarten. (? What about the younger ones?)
Article four of the ordinance says clearly that it is forbidden to offer day care for children without the necessary license.
Child care centers must also be in good standing and have to meet the minimum requirements for operation where safety and hygiene are concerned.
Day Care Centers cater to approximately 1200 children.
Documents required for a license are: Chamber of Commerce registration; Proof of labour registration; Deed of the foundation; Letter requesting permit to open a day care center; Crib number (tax office); Payment at the Island receivers office for the license; Evacuation and floor plan (approved by the fire department); Insurance for the number of children and their names; Residence permit (permanent/temporary); Daily routine(monthly, yearly); List of current workers and diploma's; Diploma of the owner/director; House rules; Menu list; Proof of water and electricity supply; and sewage removal and pest control plan.
From October 2009, day care centers were all reminded to submit all documentation. According to Inspector of Day Care Centers Denise Cornet, all centers were inspected at least twice, with others it was necessary to go in more often, in connection with safety issues.
In December 2009 a letter was sent out to all centers informing them what to expect after every inspection. A report will follow with the findings and by the time frame given the day care center in question would have to have made the necessary changes based on the ordinance.
Inspection reports were sent out to all day care centers during 2009 and throughout 2010 with the findings.
In September 2010 another letter was sent out as another reminder to submit the documents in accordance with the ordinance.
"Our goal was by October 10, 2010 all centers should have their license. But the owners of the day care centers needed more time, and it was granted.
"The last week in November 2010 a courtesy call was made by the Inspector of Day Care Centers, asking all the aforementioned to submit the rest of the required documents, because there will be consequences that will lead to closure of the facility for non-compliance.
"In the first week of December 2010, a letter signed by the former Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour Maria Buncamper-Molanus, gave all the day care centers a final opportunity to submit all the required documents by January 10th 2011. This deadline is now before us and this is the last opportunity and appeal for the remaining 10-day care centers to submit their relevant documentation before 5.00pm on January 10," Inspector Cornet told the Government Information Service (GIS) over the weekend.
