Principals of schools with Grade R and heads of early childhood development (ECD) institutions are reminded that quarterly applications for subsidies must be submitted to the local education district office by the following dates in 2011:

Institutions that fail to adhere to the above dates run the risk of forfeiting their subsidies. Schools requiring assistance with the completion of the subsidy claim forms can contact the IMG ECD manager at the education district office. A CEMIS report, indicating the number of learners who were enrolled in the Grade R class, must also be submitted with each claim.

In accordance with the National Norms and Standards for Grade R funding (Government Notice No. 30679 of 18 January 2008), all public and independent schools offering Grade R must be registered on the CEMIS and be in possession of a current registration certificate. All the Grade R learners must be registered on the CEMIS.

In terms of Section 55 of the Public Finance Management Act (Act 29 of 1999), all educational institutions that receive funding from the state must keep full and proper records of their financial affairs, and annually submit an audited financial statement to their executive authority (in this case the Western Cape Education Department). In this regard, all ECD institutions must submit an audited annual financial statement relating to the past academic year. This must be submitted to the local education district office before the end of May each year. Failure to do so will delay the following subsidy payment to the institution concerned.

To ensure sound education in each Grade R classroom, schools are reminded that the maximum number of learners that may be enrolled in a Grade R class must not exceed 35.

Schools should also note that priority should be given to children who have already reached their fifth birthday prior to the beginning of the new year. However, children who turn 5 years of age before the end of June may also be admitted to Grade R, provided that their acceptance does not displace a child who has already turned 5.