Day- cares play a crucial role in the lives of many parents who juggle work and child-rearing responsibilities. However, in a country where power outrages are common like in our country, day-cares are greatly affected by load-shedding, causing disruption in their daily operations.
Load-shedding is a tactic used by utilities to reduce electricity demand during peak hours or when the power supply is low. This means day-care centres may experience sudden and unexpected power cuts, leaving the staff and children in a difficult situation.
One of the major challenges faced by day-cares during load-shedding is ensuring the safety of the children in their care. This can pose a risk especially during dark hours or inclement weather. Lack of lighting can make it difficult for students and staff to move around safely on school premises. Without electricity, day-care centres may struggle to maintain a comfortable environment for children. Essential services such as heating and cooling may be compromised, putting the well-being of children at risk.
Furthermore, the lack of electricity can also impact the day-to-day activities and education of children. Without access to electronic devices, computers or other technology that may require electricity, day-cares may struggle to provide educational and interactive experiences for children. This can hinder the development and learning opportunities for children at a crucial stage of their growth.
Financial impact is what a lot of our local day-cares at Senekal, Matwabeng struggle with the most. Not only do they face potential losses in revenue due to disrupted operations, but they also incur additional costs in purchasing back up power sources, such as generator (not forgetting the cost of petrol too) to ensure continuity of the care for the children. Some of these day-cares have to close completely on days when load-shedding strikes.
Overall, the effects of load-shedding on day-cares can be far-reaching, affecting the safety, well-being and education of children in their care. It is crucial for both our government and ESKOM to work together to find lasting solutions to ensure that day-care centers have access and uninterrupted power supply enabling them to continue providing quality care and support for families in need.
