ECDU Says Assessment Of Day Care Centres For Licensing Is Well Underway Press Release Story Updated: April 28th 2015 at 11:38 am
(EMU) – St. Kitts, April 27, 2014: The Early Childhood Development Unit is continuing to provide the best possible environment for young children as it assesses Day Care Centres around St. Kitts to ensure that they meet the minimum standards requirement for operation. According to Director of the Early Childhood Development Unit; Mrs. Jacqueline Morris, “centres which meet the minimum standards will receive a license which will alert clients that they have been approved by the Early Childhood Development Unit. It is then left up to parents to decide whether their children will attend a day care centre”. The Early Childhood Development Monitoring Checklist is the official assessment tool used in carrying out assessments and includes the Physical Environment; Health and Safety; Food Safety and Nutrition; Record Keeping; The Learning Environment; Programme Structure; Programme Management; Learning Activities; Care Practices; as well as the High Scope approach. The inspection officers may visit the ECD facility unannounced and inform the manager or supervisor of the purpose of the visit. Generally during the assessment process a number of key factors are taken into consideration including the consistency of day-to-day operations. To determine this, the inspection process is carried out respectfully, making observations, examining records, seeking information as well as asking questions of staff, children and parents. Immediately upon completion of the inspection, the licensing officer holds a meeting to discuss results, obtain clarifications and feedback, make recommendations. Following the further assessment of the licensing officer’s findings by ECDU officers and Child Welfare Board, the centres are given the opportunity to rectify any outstanding issues while they are monitored for compliance. They are given a time-frame in which to make the necessary adjustments. A re-inspection follows along with the final decision for or against licensing. Mrs. Morris said during the last licensing exercise for 1013-2014, 53% of the centres assessed obtained their licenses. This year she expects it to increase to 90% and urges centre proprietors to work hard to make this a reality. The ultimate aim of the licensing exercise is to ensure quality programming leading to best child outcomes. A list of licensed early childhood facilities will be made public to guide persons to high quality facilities where they can enroll their children. The assessment of centres commenced in March and will continue into May.
