AS of May 2007, all operators of early childhood institutions will be required to register their institutions with the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), as stipulated by the 2005 Early Childhood Act.

Speaking with JIS News, ECC executive director Merris Murray said that, “in another six months we (the ECC) shall be ready to enforce the law”, which is in keeping with the role of the commission.

“The aim of this Act is to ensure the minimum quality and standard of care for our children that you can find throughout the country, and that our children are given equitable service,” she said.

She noted, however, that the law would only take effect after the ECC, in collaboration with the Enhancement of Basic Schools Project (EBSP) completed its public education campaign, which would begin in January.

“Although we are going to be implementing the legal and regulatory framework within which early childhood institutions are expected to operate, the aim is to provide support for these institutions,” she said. “And we are developing systems and mechanisms whereby we can support the operators and employees of early childhood institutions.”

She added that it was important for operators of early childhood institutions to ensure that they apply for registration within three months after the date that the law is enforced, in order to be duly recognised as a certified institution.

“Once the Act is enforced, a private individual is required to apply for a certificate of registration, and in that regard, must try to satisfy all the requirements outlined under the Early Childhood Act and its regulations. And to operate without a certificate of registration is in violation of the law,” she emphasised.

When implemented, the public education campaign will involve a series of sensitisation workshops, which will serve to inform and educate stakeholders within the early childhood sector, such as operators and boards of early childhood institutions, principals and teachers about the regulations that will govern the sector.

The education ministry, through its early childhood unit, has already started its sensitisation seminars with early childhood education officers, who will play a pivotal

role in disseminating information about the regulations to early childhood practitioners.

– JIS