THE EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMISSION PRIVACY NOTICE

Last Updated March 11, 2026

INTRODUCTION

In accordance with the Data Protection Act, 2020, the Early Childhood Commission (“ECC”, “we”, “us”, “our”) recognizes the importance of safeguarding individuals’ personal data and upholding the rights granted to them under the law.

Our Privacy Notice outlines how we collect, use, process, share, and store your personal data. It also informs you of your rights concerning that data. This Notice applies when you interact with us—whether by visiting our website, participating in surveys, and/or using our products and services.

We encourage you to read the terms of this Notice in conjunction with our general terms and conditions, any other contractual terms you have entered into with us and any applicable laws.

DATA WE COLLECT

ECC gathers various types of information that may be used to identify an individual whether directly or indirectly (“personal data”) depending on our relationship, including the type of communications between us and the services we provide. When you visit our website, you are free to explore without providing any Personal Data about yourself.

Personal data is collected under the following circumstances:

  •  When you respond to a career opportunity;
  • When you apply to become a registered Early Childhood Institution;
  • When you send emails and/or letters;
  • When you submit personal/business documents;
  • Once your employment is confirmed and the necessary documentation is processed in accordance with applicable laws and regulations;
  • When you participate in online forums/meetings;
  • When you request information under the Access to Information Act, 2004; and
  • When you visit our Head Office or Resource Centres.

BASES FOR COLLECTING PERSONAL DATA

In compliance with the Data Protection Act, 2020, our internal procedures for handling your personal data including its collection, storage and security are guided by strict controls designed to safeguard and protect all personal information. The Act permits the use of personal data for lawful and/or legitimate purposes. Below are the legal bases on which ECC processes your personal data:

  • User Consent
 Your personal data may be processed based on your request or agreement. We will always obtain clear, informed and freely given consent before executing such processing, except in circumstances where it is impossible to obtain your consent, but your Personal Data still needs to be processed (legal obligation or for purposes covered by public interest or law). You may withdraw your consent with the same method it was provided to us.
  • Legitimate Interest
  In certain circumstances, the ECC may process your personal data for the purpose of our legitimate interests, given that such interests are not superseded by your rights and freedoms.
  • Legal Obligation
 We collect and process personal data to fulfil our regulatory and statutory obligations with the law. Various legislative Acts empower the ECC to administer and regulate the Early Childhood sector.
  • Contractual Obligation
 We may process your personal data in contemplation of entering into a contract with you or to fulfil our existing contractual obligations to you.

THIRD PARTY TRANSFERS

The ECC may share your personal data with various organizations to fulfil our service obligations and legal requirements. These include:

  •  Law enforcement agencies;
  • Other government Ministries and regulators; and
  • External auditors, etc.

We only share your personal data with third parties in circumstances where you expressly ask us to, give us consent to share with, or with regulators in order to demonstrate compliance with legal obligations.

HOW WE PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL DATA

ECC is dedicated to safeguarding your personal data and has implemented appropriate technical and organizational security measures designed to safeguard against accidental, unlawful, or unauthorized destruction, loss, access, disclosure or misuse. Our employees and data processors are bound by confidentiality and are permitted to process your personal data strictly on a “need to know” basis.

Data is protected with security measures including but not limited to:

  • Encryption
  • Role-Based Access Control
  • Password Protection

 

YOUR RIGHTS

You have the following rights under the Jamaica Data Protection Act, 2020 in respect of any personal data we collect and use about you:

  • The right to access your personal data – You have the right to obtain information about the collection, use, storage and disclosure of your personal data.
  • The right to rectify the processing of your personal data- You have the right to request the correction of any incomplete or inaccurate personal data held by us on your behalf.
  • The right to prevent the processing of your personal data-  You have the right to object the processing of your personal data in certain situations.
  • The right to data portability-  You have the right to have your data transferred to another data controller in a structured and usable format.
  • The right to avoid automated decisions- You have the right to object to decisions based exclusively on the automated processing of your personal data.

HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS IN RELATION TO YOUR PERSONAL DATA

You may exercise the rights afforded to you by contacting us using the information found in the “Contact Information” section of this Privacy Notice.

RETENTION POLICY

We retain records of your personal data only for as long as is necessary to operate our business and to fulfil our legal and regulatory commitments. Retention periods are determined based on the type of record and the nature of the activity.  We typically retain records for up to seven years after our relationship ends and in line with the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) retention policy and the Records Information Management(RIM) Policy and Procedures.

NOTIFIABLE DATA BREACHES

ECC takes data breaches seriously. If we determine that a data breach is notifiable under the JDPA, we will:

  • Promptly notify the Information Commissioner in the timeline and manner required by law; and
  • Notify you without undue delay if there is likely to be a high risk to your rights.

CHILDREN’S DATA

We do not process data for children without parental or guardian consent. Any information that is in breach of this provision will be deleted.

If you become aware that a child has provided us with information, please contact our Privacy Office.

HOW TO COMPLAIN

If you believe we have handled your personal data inappropriately, you may submit a complaint to our email address at dpa@ecc.gov.jm . Should you remain dissatisfied with our response, you have the right to raise the matter with the data protection regulator below:

Information Commissioner Office
Masonic Building, 2nd Floor. 
45 – 47 Barbados Avenue 
Kingston 5 

Email: info@oic.gov.jm 
Phone: (876) 929-8568

CONTACT INFORMATION

We are dedicated to protecting your personal information and privacy rights. If you have any questions or comments regarding this Privacy Notice, you should contact us using the information below:

  • Data Protection Officer
  • Phillipa Peddie
  • dpa@ecc.gov.jm
  • (Ext. 1006)
  • Early Childhood Commission
  • 7-9 Harbour Street, Kingston, Jamaica 

CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY NOTICE

This Privacy Notice may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in laws and regulations. The “Last Updated” date will be revised whenever changes are made. Users are responsible for reviewing the Notice periodically, and continued use of the Site or Services signifies acceptance of any updates. Changes take effect once posted on the website.