Since the Department of Children and Youth (DMH) was officially established in October 2022, the work related to the enforcement of childcare center laws has been ongoing. One of DMH’s main tasks is to enforce and supervise the Childcare Center Law and ensure good quality childcare in all childcare centers in Aruba. All childcare centers must be officially registered with DMH, and everyone can also check if their childcare center is registered via www.dmh.aw by going to the national registration tab. Today, DMH officially went out with the neighborhood police for the supervision and inspection of childcare centers.
Why supervision in childcare centers?
DMH conducts supervision and inspection in childcare centers to ensure complete development, safety, and protection for our children. Therefore, appropriate and professional supervision of childcare centers is extremely essential. Both the owner of the childcare center and the government work together to achieve good quality care in these centers.
The owner of the childcare center is responsible for meeting the quality care requirements, stipulated in articles 9 and 10 of the National Ordinance (AB. 2017 No. 38), which indicates that childcare must be provided in a responsible and professional manner. Supervision is done without prior notice and must occur at least once a year, as stipulated by law. However, there is flexibility for additional supervision to take place when necessary, especially to ensure the safety and quality care of our children.
What does the supervision entail?
DMH conducts supervision that consists of observing, monitoring, testing, gathering, and evaluating the services provided and how the children visiting the childcare center are treated. The supervision will be encouraging, providing instructions on what the childcare center needs to work on to comply with regulatory requirements. It focuses on whether the childcare center:
- Provides care and guidance to the children in a responsible and appropriate manner;
- Contributes to the optimal and healthy development of the children;
- Ensures that the care is in a ‘safe’ environment for all children;
- Complies with the requirements of the regulatory manual.
Identification Sticker for Compliance
DMH’s final goal in the near future is that when a childcare center meets the regulatory requirements to operate, the center will receive a visible sticker for all parents. A relevant version of the supervision reports will also be available, so that parents can properly inform themselves about the results of the supervision and inspections conducted at the childcare centers of their choice.
