services for the most vulnerable children and their carers. The Government is looking to establish a mechanism for a National Social Protection framework. It is aiming to conduct a baseline study in order to establish appropriate targets which will be used to test pilot by 2010 a Social Protection Scheme. The Government is also intending to put in place a regulatory framework that will be responsible for supervising and monitoring the scheme. Day Care Centres - In Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar child care services are provided through two structures - Day Care Centres and Children’s Homes. The former prepare children aged 2-6 for primary education, and are registered and monitored by the Commissioner of Social Welfare who is responsible for examining whether they are suitable. In April 2006 there were 476 registered Day Care Centres (most of which are private), 11 Government training institutions and one private training institution. Most of these day care centres are privately established. There are also Day Care Centres in Government institutions (such as in prisons and in the army and police.) Children’s Homes - Children’s Homes41 are established by law through the Children Homes (Regulations) Act. In April 2006 there were 2,367 children (1043 girls and 1324 boys) in 64 Children Homes. Most homes are operated by the private sector (NGOs, faith-based organisations etc.), though one is operated by the Government. The Social Welfare Department is responsible for registering, coordinating and developing guidelines42 to monitor and supervise the standard of care in the homes and provide professional advice. According to guidelines a child should enter a Home only as a last resort and after investigation by the Social Welfare Officer. Once in a home, the whereabouts of the 41 Under the law Section 2 “Children home” means any premises other than an approved school, where five or more children being orphans or children whose relatives or guardians are unable or unwilling to care for them are received to be cared for and maintained, either gratuitously or for payment, for a period of longer than seven days by a person who is not a relative or guardian of the children. 42 The National Guideline for Community Based Care, Support and Protection of Orphans and Vulnerable Children awaiting Cabinet approval. The Establishment of Management Child Homes Guidelines 2003/2004. 47