July 6, 2018:
The Early Childhood Commission this morning launched Jamaica’s First Strategy for the 0-3 age cohort at the Cynthia Shako Early Childhood Education and Day Care Centre at the University of Technology.
Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Honourable Ruel Reid who was the keynote speaker, highlighted the importance of the first 1,000 days of life to national development and the role of public and private organizations. He said it is important that teachers are trained to provide quality education to children but equally, there must be an adequate amount of institutions that provide high level education for everyone.
Professor of Child Health, Child Development and Child Behavior at the University of the West Indies, Maureen Samms-Vaughan, shared details of the first 1,000 days of life which is considered the most critical period for child development. She alluded to the relationship between improving the well-being of mother and child during this period to ensure the best start to life and the opportunity for each child to reach their full potential.
The main objective of the strategy is to ensure that all Jamaican children get the best start in life by attending to their health, nutrition, total developmental needs, stimulation, social protection, child protection and early intervention needs. It also forms part of Jamaica achieving Sustainable Development Goals as a means of ensuring that our children are prepared for life.
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Contact:
Monique Pryce
Communications Manager
Early Childhood Commission
1-876-499-2303/ 922-9296