Anna Catherina Childcare Centre to fully open in March; WIN leader exposed for misleading claims

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry is on track to fully operationalise the multi-purpose $93.4 million Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Centre at Anna Catherina, Region Three (Essequibo Islands – West Demerara) by the first quarter of 2026 as staffing and registration continues.

During an interview with this publication, Executive Officer of Early Childhood Development at the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA), Conchita Grey, responded to allegations by We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party leader Azruddin Mohamed—who has been indicted and sanctioned in the United States (US)—that the facility had been abandoned.

She clarified that, although the building was commissioned in August 2025, it was not expected to be operational at that time. She explained that despite its commissioning, a facility of that nature cannot be expected to be operational immediately. According to Grey, these facilities require six to nine months to be completely operational, particularly as the day and night care is a new concept not only in Guyana but the wider Caribbean.

“For a facility like this to become operational, it takes six to nine months and so, from the time the building was commissioned to now, the agency is working to get the building operationalised, we would have put out a video in December of last year stating that this facility will become operational in the first quarter of this year. So, we’re working, we’re training staff, we’re doing all necessary things to operationalise this facility,” Grey said.

She noted that since the commissioning, Ministry officials have been actively working to ensure the centre is fully prepared for operation. Such preparations include, recruiting and training staff, registering children and securing budgetary allocations to support round-the-clock operations.

Addressing claims that the facility has been abandoned, Grey said staff members have been working from the building daily and officers have been going in and out of the building since the beginning of the year.

She further went on to explain that the responsibility of maintaining the outer perimeter falls to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) while the internal upkeep is managed by the agency itself. Currently two staff members have been formally employed for the day and night care programme with additional personnel on site.

Gray said that interviews and training are currently ongoing as the Ministry aims to employ qualified and trained professionals to ensure safe and quality care for children. Grey went on to say that once operational, the facility will be staffed with approximately 13 employees per shift, inclusive of caregivers, cooks, cleaners, handymen, drivers and other supervisory staff, to ensure the children are provided with care, protection and a well maintained and supportive environment at all times.

Registration of children has begun with 19 children already registered. She said that interest in the services offered continues to grow, as parents have been visiting the facility to inquire and register, the Ministry expects to see an increase in registration numbers. The building has the capacity to house fifty children per shift and will operate across three shifts daily.

In addition to child care services, the centre will be providing training to serve as practicum site for individuals pursuing a career in early child care and childhood education, along with parenting education for the parents of the children who will be attending. This facility will cater to children from three months to 12 years of age and will also accept children with special needs, once appropriate training and systems are in place.

“As I said earlier, we will not only be offering day and night care services, but we will be offering parenting education, every child that comes here we are hoping to encourage the parents in the best parenting practices,” Grey said.

Grey added that this facility aims to assist vulnerable families and working mothers, particularly those who find it difficult to pay for private childcare. All services offered by this facility will be free of cost. With budget considerations expected to be finalised soon, the Ministry is aiming to have the programme fully functioning to the public by early March.

Grey assured parents and families that preparations are ongoing and encouraged residents of Region Three to take advantage of the service being offered once it becomes operational. She also highlighted that this facility is the first of many of its kind to be available in Guyana.

She said “I would like to say to parents and family that this facility was built for you, especially the persons in Region Three. This facility is free, this facility is not abandoned, this facility is being prepared, and we encourage that you come on board, you come, you register your child, [and] send your child to this facility. This facility will be a model and we are hoping to carry this model throughout Guyana.”