Board topic: Early Childhood Education in the 21 st Century Caribbean.

Narrowed topic: The importance of Early Childhood Education in Jamaica.

Introduction:

Early childhood Education is not a new concept to Jamaica, it dates back to the early 19 th Century. It

has taken many forms such as Basic School, Kindergarten and Preschool which cater to children from

birth to age (8) eight. Its importance in sustainable development cannot be overstated. Studies

suggest that the first 1000 days are the most crucial in brain development and that quality early

childhood education impact last into adulthood. Early childhood education shapes the foundation of

the life and helps mental and academic development of children . (Mustard, J.F. 2010). Jamaica as

a society has come a far way in its efforts to provide quality Early childhood education. ( Kinkead-

Clark, Z. 2015). To fully transform the sector, it will require greater government involvement,

acquisition and retention of qualified teachers along with a fully functional Early Childhood

Commission.

The development of a nation rest in its ability to provide quality Education. If early childhood

education is to become effective in enhancing sustainable development, government involving will

need significant improvements. Currently early childhood education receives the smallest allocation

of the Education budget when compared to Secondary Education and Tertiary Education. In the

2019-2020 budget only 3% of resource were allocated to Early Childhood Education. ( Salmon D.,

August 2019). This in itself suggest that though strides have been made, Early Childhood Education is

still not seen with the urgency and significance required for transformation.

Teacher Qualification is a major area of concern that requires a lot of attention if Jamaica is to

achieve its 2030 vision. Highly qualified teachers are able to provide the nurture required to

transform young minds into productive adults capable of contributing to sustainable development.

With most teacher in the sector meeting only the minimum requirements, it is clear that
requirements to work in the Early childhood sector needs dire adjustment. This is in line with the

fact that provision of quality early childhood education is tied to future success at the primary and

secondary level.( Linda Bakken, Nola Brown & Barry Downing ,2017: kinkead-clark, Zoyah. 2015). The

consensus is that a childs early years provide the window of opportunity necessary to shape and

transformation cognitive ability to think critically. Early childhood education should provide young

children with the opportunity to

There are currently some 2,660 early childhood institutions across the island with about 2,522
registered with the Commission. The number of those operating with permits now stands at
1,377.

Implementation of the Child Health and Development Passport is also a noteworthy

achievement of the ECC. The passport, which was officially launched in 2010, is deemed to
have revolutionized Jamaica’s approach to the management of children’s overall
development and wellbeing.

Additionally, the Commission is awaiting Cabinet’s approval of the Infant and Young Child
Nutrition Policy, which speaks to the nutrition of infants, toddlers and young children in
Jamaica.

The ECC, which is an agency of the Ministry of Education, coordinates all activities,

development plans and programmes within the early childhood sector.

Early Childhood Commission: Committed

to Advancing Children’s Development
Education

November 24, 2013

Written by: Athaliah Reynolds-Baker

https://ecc.gov.jm/about-us/

Poor early development affects health (physical and mental), behaviour and learning in later life.
The architecture and function of the brain is sculpted by a lifetime of experiences which affect

the architecture and function of neurobiological pathways.

Mustard, J.F. (2010) Early Brain Development and Human Development. Encyclopaedia on
Early Childhood Development, Toronto, Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2020 from:
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2b7a/671044f1b6b82104453b3abc936b850c59dd.pdf

There is considerable evidence among those who work with child development and early
education that 4-year-olds gain from being in a high-quality, early learning setting (e.g.,
Ramey & Ramey, 2004). In fact, the years from birth to age 5 are viewed as a critical period
for developing the foundations for thinking, behaving, and emotional well-being. Child development
experts indicate it is during these years that children develop linguistic, cognitive,
social, emotional, and regulatory skills that predict their later functioning in many domains
(Trawick-Smith, 2014; Woolfolk & Perry, 2012).

Linda Bakken, Nola Brown & Barry Downing (2017) Early Childhood Education:
The Long-Term Benefits, Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 31:2, 255-269, DOI:
10.1080/02568543.2016.1273285