The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) has taken steps to restructure its registration process to better enable all early childhood institutions (ECIs) to meet the required standards for operation.

Registrar at the ECC, Marlene Turner, will head the new registration department that has been established to streamline the process.

Speaking with JIS News, Communications Manager at the ECC, Celia Morgan, said that all ECIs will now be issued with certificates of registration, after an application for registration is submitted and the standards for operation are met.

She informed that operators of institutions that are newly applying for registration are required to submit a completed application form along with the following:

  • Proof of payment of the registration fee of $1,500.00
  • Two passport-sized photographs
  • A reference from any two of the following –
  1. Justice of the Peace
  2. Minister of Religion
  • Attorney-at-Law
  1. Principal or Board Chairman of an educational institution
  2. A former employer of the applicant
  3. A Resident Magistrate or Judge of the Supreme Court
  • A police officer above the rank of Inspector
  • A report from the Jamaica Fire Brigade stating that the ECI has been inspected and the officer is satisfied that reasonable steps have been taken for the prevention of fire and for protecting against the dangers of fire and other disasters
  • A report from the Public Health Department stating that the institution has been inspected and is in compliance with the provisions of the Public Health Act
  • A copy of the following must be supplied for the applicant and employees
  • Certification of good health from a registered medical practitioner
  • A food handler’s permit
  • A police record
  • Job description of each proposed employee and a copy of proposed terms of employment
  • Details of the premises or proposed premises
  • Particulars of fees to be charged and proposed sources of funding

Miss Morgan said that once the required documents are submitted, and the relevant fee paid, the ECC has seven working days to process the application and issue a certificate of registration, which is valid for five years.

She added that institutions that have already submitted an application for registration are required, on an annual basis, to submit fire, public health, and medical certificates as well as food handler’s permits.