CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank has signalled its support for the early childhood education thrust of the United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) with a recent presentation of a sponsorship cheque to the charitable organisation.

The UWJ, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in Jamaica this year, has, through alliances with partners like CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, embarked on a programme to provide training for approximately 2,500 early childhood practitioners across the island, make training available online and more accessible to more teachers, and establishing national metrics for four-year-olds, starting with a pilot.

The aim is to increase the readiness of children entering grade 1.

“The UWJ has made early childhood development (ECD) one of its main priorities since 2013,” said UWJ CEO Winsome Wilkins.

Wilkins added that this area of focus was selected based on national statistics which point to inadequate facilities and learning opportunities for pre-primary school children.

Meanwhile, Nigel Holness, Managing Director, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank commended the UWJ on their achievements over the past 30 years and for their current focus on ECD, noting that “early childhood education is critical to a nation’s development and if you provide the right training at pre-kindergarten stage it can be quite transformational”.