Education Ministry welcomes certification of 100 ECIs

December 13, 2017:

Minister of Education, Youth and Information Senator Ruel Reid has welcomed news that the Early Childhood Commission has now certified 100 Early Childhood Institutions (ECIs).  These ECIs have attained 100% of the legal performance criteria under the Commission’s 12 Operating Standards.

“This is an excellent development. We will continue to work closely with the Early Childhood Commission to ensure that more of our basic schools and infant departments meet the required standards,” Senator Reid said.

Ruel Reid, Education Minister.

The Standards cover staffing, appropriate development programmes, positive interaction with the children, parents and community, the physical environment of the schools, indoor and outdoor equipment, health, nutrition, safety, upholding children’s rights, administration and finance.

“This push for better standards among institutions that serve children is a recognition that the health and well-being of our most vulnerable should be at the forefront of public policy,” Senator Reid added.

The major focus now is the certification of Infant Schools and Infant Departments and the ECC will be targeting 139 ECIs.  This amount includes three Infant Schools, 31 Infant Departments, 76 Basic Schools and 29 Prep and Kinder Institutions.

The ECC team is also working closely to raise compliance among the 137 Infant Schools and Departments that have still not applied for a Certificate of Registration with the Commission.

Certified Early Childhood Institutions