GRENADA EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION Birth

GRENADA EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION • Birth to 8 years • Government established programmes for each of the three phases in early childhood: – Birth– 3 in day care centres – 3 -5 in pre-schools – 5 -7 in primary schools • Programmes are monitored & supported by the Day Care Coordinator & Early Childhood Officers

AVAILABILITY OF ECE • ECE provided by government & private sector • 74 public pre-schools • Approx. 25 private preschools • There are pre-school departments housed in some of the primary schools

DAY CARE • The Ministry of Social Development is responsible for the Day Care (0 -3) – Public Day Care Services introduced in 1958 – Presently more than 15 centres are operating – Training is provided by the government for the caregivers – Roving Caregivers Programme: the caregivers work with the children & their parents/guardians in their homes

PRE-SCHOOL • The Ministry of Education responsible for the Pre-School (3 -5) • 1962 introduced as a private venture, assisted by government • 1980 s government included pre school education in the national primary education system • Mission: to provide pre-school education for 3 -5 year olds that will promote allround development • Curriculum: developed by. Early Childhood Unit of the M of E – thematic approach

TEACHERS • 146 teachers – all female • Formal training at the Community College • Specialised training in Trinidad • Receive on the spot training by ECE Supervisors • Teacher exchange visits to look at best practices in ECE • Meetings – pre-school & Kindergarten and Grade 1 teachers to discuss transition

POLICY STANDARDS FOR ECE • Policy endorsed by government in 2002 & will govern the early childhood services, both public & private • the goals are to: – empower & encourage collaboration among stakeholders to ensure quality service is provided – Strengthen services & interventions to ensure positive outcomes – Use cost effective strategies – Empower parents & caregivers – Provide training

Thank You Ivy Harris – Early Childhood Supervision