VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) has begun an investigation into an IECD registered childcare service, following a formal grievance filed on Friday against the provider. The complaint relates to injuries said to have been sustained by an eight month old baby while the child was in the provider’s care. According to a public notice issued by the IECD, the child suffered injuries to the face and head.
The IECD, which was recently recognised as a UNESCO Category II Centre for Early Childhood Development, said in the notice that the necessary steps are being undertaken for an investigation into the matter, in line with the institute’s internal procedures. The institution is liaising with the department of Social Affairs in the process. The IECD also used the notice to remind all registered childcare service providers to adhere to the standards and guidelines that govern their operations at all times, in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children entrusted to their care.
The investigation follows the circulation on social media, over the weekend, of photographs of a baby who appears to have sustained head injuries, accompanied by a screenshot. The IECD was not immediately able to confirm whether the formal notice and the social media posts relate to the same incident, as officials could not be reached for comment at the time the notice was issued. The institute is expected to provide a further update once the internal process is further advanced.
Under the existing framework, registered childcare providers in Seychelles are required to hold a current IECD registration. They must also comply with operational standards covering staff to child ratios, the safety of the physical environment, the reporting of incidents, and the maintenance of records. Providers who fail to meet the standards can face sanctions ranging from a formal warning to the suspension or cancellation of their registration, depending on the seriousness of the breach.
The case is likely to receive close public attention, given the seriousness of the alleged injuries and the prominence of the social media post. The IECD has urged members of the public with information relevant to the case to come forward through its official channels, and has reminded parents that they are entitled to ask providers about the institute’s most recent inspection outcomes and any pending actions. Further information is expected once the institute’s internal procedures have been completed.
