Our Adopt-A-School Program allows us to pilot a one year effort to determine if our organization can effectively make an impact, while ensuring the standards for Early Childhood Institutions are maintain. Over 2,800 early childhood institutions have not met all the required operating standards set forth by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) in 2010 and as such have not been able to achieve full registration status with the Ministry of Education. The standards set forth by the Early Childhood Commission of Jamaica are as follows:
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Standard 1: Staff
The staff at early childhood institutions has the training, knowledge, skills, and attitude to help children achieve their full potential. Standard 2: Programs Early childhood institutions have comprehensive programs designed to meet the language, physical, cognitive, creative, socio-emotional and school readiness needs of children. Standard 3: Behavior Management Early childhood staff has the training, knowledge, skills and attitude to promote positive behaviors in children. Standard 4: Physical Environment Early childhood institutions have physical environments that meet building, health and safety requirements and allow adequate space for children. |
Standard 5: Equipment and Furnishing
Early childhood institutions have indoor and outdoor equipment and furnishings that are safe, child-friendly and promote optimal development of children. Standard 6: Health Early childhood institutions have physical facilities, policies, programs and procedures that promote healthy lifestyles and protect children and staff from illness. Standard 7: Nutrition Early childhood institutions provide children in their care with nutritious meals and model good nutritional practices for children and families. Standard 8: Safety Early childhood institutions provide safe indoor and outdoor environments for children, staff, stakeholders and visitors to the institution. |
Standard 9: Child Rights, Child Protection and Equality
Early childhood institutions uphold the rights of children; protect them from harm and ensure that all children have equal access to services. Standard 10: Parent and Stakeholder Participation The Management and staff of early childhood institutions have good relationships with parents, caregivers, family members and the community. Standard 11: Administration Early childhood institutions have a management structure that ensures good administration. There are policies, procedures and programs that ensure child, family and staff well-being. Standard 12: Finance Early childhood institutions have sound financial practices and adhere to standard accounting principles. |
Professional Jamaicans for Jamaica, Inc. intends to be proactive in adopting Early Childhood Institutions, as part of our National Education Program.
The Board of Directors is enthusiastic about this project and eager to launch it in an effort to be the most inclusive and culturally competent organization for our children in all of our communities that need these services. Should we find at the end of our pilot year that this program is in fact successful; our board is committed to integrating a portion of the project's yearly expenses into our annual operating budget so that the program becomes an integral part of our core services.
The Board of Directors is enthusiastic about this project and eager to launch it in an effort to be the most inclusive and culturally competent organization for our children in all of our communities that need these services. Should we find at the end of our pilot year that this program is in fact successful; our board is committed to integrating a portion of the project's yearly expenses into our annual operating budget so that the program becomes an integral part of our core services.
