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Grand Anse Praslin gets new day care centre   |07 March 2022

Grand Anse Praslin gets  new day care centre   

“Children are a blessing from above. They are so precious and unique in their own way. They are our treasures and their worth we cannot measure. We need to mould them, train them, nurture them and love them holistically so that they can become good role models in the society.”

These words were shared by a very emotional Souscilla Athanase, operator of a newly opened day care centre at Grand Anse Praslin baptised ‘Bright Angels Day Care’.

It was the Minister for Local Government & Community Affairs, Rosemary Hoareau, and the member of the National Assembly for Grand Anse Praslin, Wavel Woodcock, who officially opened the facility for a much awaited service to the Grand Anse Praslin community.

Among other guests present were liaison officer Vincent Cedras, district administrators, teachers, parents and children.

Pastor Selvin Cesar and Pastor Alvin Barbe were also present to bless the facilities.

Addressing the invitees, Minister Hoareau noted that the opening of this day care centre responds to the high demand for child minding in this community.

“This investment of R3.4 million shows that investment in early children development and care is of great importance to us. Years spent in a day care centre are essential for a good foundation for our children’s education and development,” Minister Hoareau said.

The minister and MNA Woodcock both congratulated Mrs Athanase on her new venture and shared that without doubt her 19 years of experience in early childhood development will surely assist her to do a great job.

They also thanked the Ministry of Education, Institute for Early Childhood Development (IECD) and all other stakeholders for their support in finalising the project.

The day care centre building, which is located next to the ex-STC warehouse in the district, has the capacity to accommodate 80 children with 1 nursery and changing area, 1 quiet room, 1 sick bay, 1 main play area, the verandah and toilet facilities.

Mrs Athanase joined the teaching profession in 2002 and for the past 6 years she was the early childhood coordinator at the Grand Anse Praslin primary school. It was her long-time dream to one day become a day care operator and her vision is to offer pre-school services in the future.

Cynthia Azemia, one of the parents present for the opening ceremony, gave us her impression of the services being offered at the facility. “I am very satisfied with the service which is of high standard. Many parents seized this opportunity for child minding when the service started and I am especially grateful for their flexibility, affordability and good care given to children.”

Mrs Athanase said she gets along and receives much support from parents and she is very appreciative of that.

“I am also grateful to the staff; as a small team of 7 we group children per age and do our utmost to ensure good care is given to them while we teach them the different life skills and how to manipulate their hands and body generally for a holistic development,” Mrs Athanase continued.

“Of course, there are many challenges in business, but I give it my best. There are criticisms but I take it constructively, keep a positive mind-set and not allow setbacks to discourage me.”

“Our vision here at Bright Angels Day Care is to devote and commit ourselves to teaching each child that there’s nothing impossible as the real meaning of impossible is ‘I’m Possible’. As the Captain of this ship, I need to ensure that all children reach their destination safely and fulfil their dreams.”

Mrs Athanase noted that she started her operation with 5 children in December and from there, through word of mouth by parents, she now has 32 children and expecting a new batch this coming week. They are open on week days only from 6:45am to 5pm and take babies from the age of 4 months.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the opening ceremony.

 

Text: Nadia Bedier

Photos: Romano Laurence

 

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