The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has launched a Childcare Subsidy Programme for frontline workers.
Subject Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud announced the programme on December 10, 2020 during the launch of the Ministry’s 914 emergency hotline.
The Childcare Subsidy Programme will assist essential workers who have children of ages 7 and under. Those qualified include but is not limited to members of the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Fire Service; frontline health workers; Human Services workers; domestic workers; security firm workers and supermarket employees.
According to Minister Persaud, the Programme is “an all-rounded approach” to not only facilitate day care subsidy for essential workers but to improve the conditions of the 224 registered day care centers nationwide ensuring they open safely under the COVID-19 guidelines.
“The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has created an unprecedented health and financial crisis. We’ve certainly all been impacted, but none more so than our essential workers who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. Many of these workers have to balance their jobs, maintain a household and oftentimes have to cover child care expenses or find a safe place to leave their children,” Minister Persaud said.
The application form, which includes the criteria for eligibility, can be downloaded from the Ministry’s website:
https://form.jotform.com/203022779944056.
A hard-copy version of the application form will be available at the Ministry’s Lamaha or Cornhill and Water Streets locations, Childcare Protection Agency on Broad Streets or any Probation Offices in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10.
Throughout the programme, the Ministry will make direct payment for services, per term, to the childcare facilities.
