In preparation for the fast approaching start of the school year 2012-2013, Valenzuela City’s Day Care Workers underwent a comprehensive training to equip them with proper knowledge on ascertaining and dealing with aberrations on children, particularly on preschool learners.

Dubbed as “Seminar-Workshop on Early Detection and Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities,” the event gathered last week all the city’s 91 Day Care Teachers from the 72 existing Day Care Centers scattered around the city’s 33 barangays

Mrs. Dorothy Evangelista, Officer-in-Charge of the City Social and Welfare Development Office, emphasized the significant role of the teachers. “You are the ones who are with the children for almost the whole day, five days a week. With this, you act as their second parents and your part in the development of their character and well-being is very crucial, that is why we need to take this seriously,” she added.

“Mayor WIN Gatchalian is positive that the activity will contribute to the ladder in achieving quality education among Valenzuelano youth which he gives the highest priority under the stance, “Good education is Good Governance.”

As a member of Philippine Pediatric Society of the Philippines and a resident doctor of Polo Emergency Hospital, Dr. Ernesto Guevarra M.D. highlighted the Preventive Pediatric Health which importance he emphasized on the common dictum “prevention is better than cure.”

“It is very important for pregnant women to take appropriate precautionary measures once they knew that they are bearing a life inside their womb. Disabilities are early detected during pregnancy,” Dr. Guevarra said.

Dr. Guevarra also addressed the overwhelming issue of teenage pregnancy, hilot system and consecutive pregnancies that cause the majority of irregularities with the mother and infant and even maternal and child death.

Going through another subject, Dr. Nida Juat-Valeriano, a Doctor of Education specializing in Special Education taught the ECCD educators on how to assess a child if he manifests autism through the 14 indicators she provided.

“Special children should not be considered as problem in the society as some perceives, they just need extra care and attention from all of us to better gain confidence within themselves”, Dr. Nida said.  

Valenzuela City Day Care System under the supervision Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Program Manager, Ms.Sonia Martin offers free early childhood education for the Valenzuelano children ages 3 to 4. There are 72 existing centers which welcomed their students last June 13.  An additional three centers are under on-going construction and are expected to operate within the year.

The Seminar coincides with Valenzuela City’scelebration of the Day Care Workers Week from June 7 to 11 of every year as National Day Care Workers Week to recognize the vital role of the day care workers in the promotion of the rights of children. This year, the celebration is anchored on the theme, “Day Care Worker: Kaagapay ng Pamilya at Pamahalaan sa Pagpapatupad ng ECCD Program.”