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Children are developing more rapidly during the period from birth to age 6, than at any other
time in their lives. These years of development are crucial and as such we need to provide a
firm foundation for the child’s cognitive, affective and psychomotor development.
Throughout the years the early childhood sector in Jamaica has made numerous development
and improvements for the benefit of our children. Through this presentation you will be
informed and enlighten about three of the developments which took place within the new
millennium. These developments are the Early Childhood Commission which governs the
Early Childhood Institutions (ECIs) by providing guideline and resources, the Child Health
and Development Passport which will not only be use at the early childhood level but will
follow the child up to the secondary level and the 12 Standards which guide the operation of
the ECI.

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Stipulates the need for institutions’ staff to have or acquire the characteristics, training, knowledge, skills, and attitude to help children achieve their full potential.

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2. Developmental/Educational Programmes  

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2. Developmental/Educational Programmes  

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Mandates institutions to implement comprehensive programmes designed to meet children’s language, physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, spiritual, cultural and school-readiness needs.

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3. Interactions and Relationships with Children

Emphasizes the need for staff to have or acquire the characteristics, training, knowledge, skills and attitude to promote positive behaviors in children and reduce those deemed difficult and challenging.

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Underscores that institutions must create environments meeting building, health and safety stipulations for children, and provide adequate space to facilitate their development and that of the staff.

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5-Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Furnishing and Supplies 

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5-Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Furnishing and Supplies 

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Stipulates that institutions provide safe child-friendly equipment and furnishings that promote the optimal development of children.

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6. Health

Emphasizes that institutions provide physical facilities, policies, programmes and procedures promoting healthy lifestyles, while safeguarding children and staff against illnesses.

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7. Nutrition

Mandates institutions to provide nutritious meals and model good nutritional practices for children in their care as well as their families.

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8. Safety

Highlights the importance of ECIs providing safe indoor and outdoor environments for children, staff, stakeholders and visitors.

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9-•Child Rights, Child Protection and Equality – mandates institutions to uphold children’s rights and protect them from harm, while ensuring they have equal access to services.

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10-•Interactions with Parents and Community Members – requires institutions’ management and staff to establish and maintain healthy relationships with parents, caregivers, family members and the wider community.

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11Administration – emphasizes the importance of establishing a sound management structure that guarantees effective operations. These are expected to be guided by established plans, policies, procedures and programmes that ensure child, family and staff well-being.

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12•Finance – institutions are required to have sound financial practices by adhering to standard accounting principles.

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The Early Childhood Commission Act (2003), set up a special body, the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) to coordinate all early childhood activity and develop appropriate plans and programmes for the entire early childhood sector.

One important function of the Early Childhood Commission is to supervise and regulate early childhood institutions (ECIs) to make sure they are efficiently run and meet the health and development needs of children.

The Early Childhood Commission Act (2005) and The Early Childhood Commission Regulations (2005), describe the requirements that an Early Childhood Institution must meet in order to be registered by the Early Childhood Commission as a legally operating Early Childhood Institution. The law will ensure that all Early Childhood Institutions provide the services that children need to grow and develop well.

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Duties of the Early Childhood Commission

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Duties of the Early Childhood Commission

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The Early Childhood Institutions (ECIs) are overseen by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) which was established in 2003 to take overall responsibility for Jamaica's early childhood development programme. Among its duties the Early Childhood Commission:

1. Advises the Cabinet, through the Minister of Education and Youth, on policy matters relating to Early Childhood Development (ECD), including programmes and actions to achieve national Early Childhood Development.

2. Assist in preparation of plans and programmes concerning Early Childhood Development (ECD).

3. Monitors and assesses the way in which plans and programmes are carried out and makes recommendations for improvement to the Government.

4. Oversees Early Childhood Development (ECD) activities to ensure that they do not overlap and waste resources and that there are no gaps in providing services for the nation's children.

5. Set up meetings with relevant people and organizations working in Early Childhood Development (ECD) as is necessary.

6. Decides on the needs of the sector and makes recommendations on how the money can be found to finance them.

7. Meets with donor agencies to request funds for Early Childhood Development     ( ECD) and monitors the expenditure of the funds provided to ensure they are used for the right activities.

8. Regulates early childhood institutions.

9. Conducts research on Early Childhood Development (ECD)

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The applicant must submit a complete application form to the Commission along with:

1. The fee of $3,000

2. Two passport-sized photographs ( of applicant).

3. References from two persons from the following list -

●       A Justice of the place

●       A Minister of Religión

●       An Attorney-at- Law

●       A School Principal or Chair of a School Board

●       A Judge or Resident Magistrate

●       A Police Officer above the rank of Inspector

●       A former employer of the application

4. Certificates or proof of training for the applicant and each employee.

5. Report from the Jamaica Fire Brigade that the premises meet fire safety requirements and that appropriate fire prevention and safety measures are in place.

6. Certification from the Public Health Department

7. Food handler's permits for applicant and employees.

8. Approval from the Parish Council in respect of the premises.

9.Details of the proposed premises including-

●       A floor plan of each building

●       A description of  the structure

●       The type of accomodation ( internal and external)

●       Furniture and equipment

●       Any other details requested

10. Documentation for each employee of the Early Childhood Institutions (ECI) as follows:

●       Medical certificate

●       Job description and terms of employment

11. Details of fees to be charged and proposed source of funding in cases where more than one Early Childhood Institution (ECI) is being managed by the same operator a separate application is required for each premises.

A new application must be submitted if an Early Childhood Institution (ECI) is moved to a new premises.

A new application is also required if an Early Childhood Institution (ECI) changes operators.

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• The Child Health and Development Passport was implemented in September 1, 2010 to replace the immunization card and is distributed in ante-natal counselling session.

• It contains information about the growth and development of a child from birth to 17 years of age. It is written in by parents, heath care professionals and early childhood institutions based on observations and examination of the child’s progress.

• It is used to document immunization records, major illnesses and allergies.
• It also contains nutritional information for parents which tells the type of food, how much and how often the child should be feed along with other helpful tip for ages 0 – 6 years. Located on pages 72 and 73 there is a taxonomy of reading literacy assessment. This assessment helps you to understand the reading level of your child.

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Conclusively, we have seen where significant developments has been taking place since the start of  the new millennium as there have been rapid progress in the Early Childhood Sector.

Through the implementation of new developments, the Early Childhood Commission  has been properly coordinated  to oversee all early childhood activities, plans and programmes of the sector.

Furthermore, the immunization card has been replaced by the child health and developmental passport which contains nutritional and health information from birth to 17years old.

Additionally, the 12 Operational Standards have ensured and set the pace for all early childhood institutions to meet the standards set by the early childhood commission . As a result of these significant developments, Early Childhood Institutions will be better able to nurture and enhance the growth and developments of these young minds.