The following guidelines are hereby promulgated to define the systems and procedures in granting recognition to Day Care Centers (DCC) and Day Care Workers (DCW) who meet the minimum requirements and standards set in the implementation of Day Care Service.

I
Rationale

The DSWD supports and recognizes the important role that the children play in nation building.  Furthermore, it supports children ™s rights to survive, be protected, develop and participate in their development.  These principles and policies as well as awareness of the realities of threats to children prompted the development of the Day Care Service.  This service provides supplementary parental care to 0 to 5 year old children whose parents have difficulty in fully taking care of their children because of work or other reasons.

The need to provide protection and assistance to children is also recognized by certain laws.  One is, Republic Act No. 6972 which provides for the establishment of Day Care Centers in every barangay.  Another law is Executive Order No. 441 directing all National Government Agencies (NGAS) and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to provide day care services to children under five years of age.

Day Care Service was devolved to the LGUs since the passage of the Local Government Code.  Presently, it is also implemented by NGAs, NGOs, POs and other entities.

The DSWD in its steering role sets forth the minimum standards and provides the following guidelines so as to ensure quality in the delivery of day care service through the accreditation of Day Care Workers and Day Care Centers.

II
Mandate and Legal Bases

The Department draws its mandate and legal bases to accredit day care centers and day care workers from:

1.         Presidential Decree No. 603 - The Child and Youth Welfare Code Title II Article 6. "The Day Care Service and other substitute parental arrangements shall be provided to a child whose parents and relatives are not able to care for him during the day.  Such arrangement shall be subjected to accreditation and licensing by the Department of Social Welfare".

2.         Republic Act No. 6972 - Barangay Level - Total Development And Protection of Children Act, Section 5, (a) - "The Department of Social Welfare and Development shall formulate the criteria for the selection, qualifications, training and accreditation of barangay day care workers and the standards for the implementation of the total development and protection of children program."

3.         Executive Order No. 340 - "Directing National Government Agencies And Government Owned And Controlled Corporations to Provide Day Care Services For Their Employees ™ Children under Five Years of Age Section 3 Lead Agency (4)" - the DSWD is tasked to license and accredit the services, facilities and day care workers."

III
Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined for the purposes of these guidelines:

1.         Day Care Center - is a community or workplace facility for children 3 to 5 years old where they are cared for during part of the day.

2.         Day Care Worker - is a provider of substitute parental care and early childhood care and development activities for 3 to 5 -year old children and who have been trained and accredited for the purpose.

3.         Accreditation - is the process of ensuring that minimum standards of day care services are met.

4.         Accreditation Certificate - is the recognition given to day care centers which have met the minimum standards set by the DSWD in the implementation of day care center. Identification Card is given to day care workers who have been trained for the purpose and have likewise met the minimum standards set by the DSWD in the Implementation of day care service.

5.         Authorized DCC/DCW Accreditors - are the LGU Social Welfare Officers, or volunteers, or selected government staff trained in Early Childhood Care and Development and in the conduct of accreditation assessment of DCC/DCW.  This authorization is issued by the Field Directors which is valid and renewable every three (3) years unless revoked for a cause.

IV
Coverage and Applicability

The following are to be accredited:

1.         DCCs which are run by LGUs, or NGAs, or GOCCs, or POs, or NGOs with DSWD license.

2.         DCWs managing any of the above DCCs.


The following are the steps to be observed in the accreditation of DCCs and DCWs:

1.         Application - All request for DCC/DCW accreditation assessment shall be forwarded to the DSWD Field Offices

2.         Assessment - This will include: Interviews with members of the parents committee, records review (technical, administrative and program), observation of session, assessment of DCC facilities and program materials.

3.         Issuance of Accreditation - Upon favorable assessment by the authorized accreditors of DCCs and DCWs with supporting documents, the Certificates and Identification Cards shall be issued by the DSWD Field Directors in accordance with the standard rating scheme.  For those with five (5) star rating, the accreditation is valid for five (5) years; four (4) years for four (4) stars, three (3) years for three (3) stars.  For those with 2 stars and 1 star rating, accreditation certificates shall not be issued but shall be provided technical assistance until they are able to meet the set standards.

VI
Delineation of Roles Between DSWD Central Office and Field Offices

A.        Central Office

Standards Bureau

1.         Continue development/enrichment of standards;

2.         Ensure compliance of standards through conduct of program audit and provision of technical assistance;

3.         Maintain national data on accredited DCC/DCW.

SWADI/CPDD

1.         Develop/review training, design and conduct trainor's training on ECD/ECCD.

B.        Field Offices

1.         In coordination with the PSWDOs/C/MSWDOs, identify DCC accreditors based on the set criteria and issue the corresponding authority;

2.         Monitor the conduct of annual target for accreditation of DCC/DCW;

3.         Review the duly accomplished accreditation instruments submitted by the authorized accreditors;

4.         Issue accreditation certificates to DCCs and IDs to DCWs;

5.         Oversee the efficiency of the conduct of the accreditation assessment and provide technical assistance to P/C/MSWDO;

6.         Submit updates and monitoring reports to Standards Bureau.

VII
Benefits

The benefits of accreditation for DCWs are:

1.         Eligibility for DCWs to receive monthly allowance from the LGUs;

2.         Participation in capability building activities of the DSWD;

3.         Access to national and international ECD networks;

4.         Invitation/recommendation for national and international conferences, consultations or dialogues regarding ECD policies, and services;

5.         Subsidy for program implementation when available.

VII
Suspension/Revocation

The following are grounds for suspension or revocation of accreditation:

1.         Children are being abused/exploited, neglected and/or duly exposed to danger

2.         Center is used for immoral purposes

3.         Repeated deviation from policies and procedures.


This Order supersedes DSWD issuances that are inconsistent with this Department Order.

XI
Effectivity

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 4 Sept. 2000

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Vice President of the Philippines and DSWD Secretary