NADZ Kidz World is a little school with a big problem. The early childhood institution, which has been a beloved fixture in the community of Seaview Gardens St Andrew Western for more than a decade, is in desperate need of a new building having outgrown its tiny space and found itself under the radar of the fire department as being unsafe.

The school caters to children ages three to six and serves as a great convenience for residents in the community as it is within walking distance of their homes. But the staff and students’ cheerful giggles and playful chatter can no longer mask the huge problem that is threatening the very existence of the school.

“For assistance from the government, you need to have a permit or get certified. [But] we cannot get certified because we don’t have a playground and outdoor space to safely evacuate the students if there is an emergency. They also said that we are too close to the road,” explained Principal Patricia Harvey, who has been running the school for the past 12 years, including the last eight as its owner.

“We must do several things to get certified, including ensuring that the teachers’ food handlers permit, police record, and medicals are up to date, and that the place is operating in accordance with the guidelines of the health department. But, while these things are in place, we run into issues every time the fire department comes to do an inspection,” Harvey told the
Jamaica Observer, noting that an officer from the fire department told them that the only way to clear this hurdle is to relocate.

The school has four classrooms and a student population of just over 60, with one teacher to each classroom. It has a kitchen, office, and a restroom with two stalls that are shared by both students and teachers. Harvey has managed to lease a piece of nearby land that has enough space to build a proper structure to safely accommodate the students and the required amenities. However, pleas to corporate Jamaica, government connected social outreach programmes, and a large multinational charity organisation for financial assistance have yielded no assistance.

“I don’t know what else to do. I have been trying to get assistance since 2019 from a large charity organisation, but somehow have not been successful. They even came in and measured the land and promised to help. I have provided everything they asked me for, including a permit letter from the Land Agency. But they have stopped accepting my calls and it seems no help is coming. I have reached out to another large company, which runs a foundation, but they told me that they don’t have any money to put towards funding a basic school,” she said, noting that she has reached out to other government-funded institutions but still no help.

For parents of students who attend the school, the help cannot come soon enough.

“I have two children attending this school and I appreciate the effort and passion that I see here. I am grateful for what they have done so far in my children’s young lives. If the school closes its doors, it would be a great disappointment. This school has a great legacy that I want to see continue. It is a great convenience for me, and they produce well-rounded students. My wish is for the school to stay open and continue impacting lives in this community,” said parent Shantell Sawyers.

Another parent, Aziza Somerville, praised the staff of the school for helping her son to overcome developmental challenges. “When my son started at the school, he was not speaking and had some behavioural issues. Now, he is speaking very well, in standard English, and displays good bevaiour. He is writing well, he is reading well and overall doing great. The school has done a lot for my child personally. If they had a primary school component, I would want my child to stay there. I would hate to see this school closed,” she said.

For principal Harvey, in the meanwhile, it is the encouraging feedback from parents that keeps her going. “I am so frustrated and feel like giving up. But, I love what I do and see the impact Nadz Kidz World is having on the lives of our young children,” she said, noting that she hopes her desperate pleas will reach the eyes and ear of a good Samaritan.