Summary:
The Early Childhood Act regulates and manages early childhood institutions in Jamaica, including by setting minimum standards for care, safety, and development.
Description:
The Early Childhood Act 2005 regulates early childhood institutions, establishes the Early Childhood Commission, and empowers the Minister of Education to make regulations through subsidiary legislation, including the Early Childhood Regulations 2005.
Who is covered
The Act applies to all early childhood institutions in Jamaica. It applies to day care centres, basic schools, and infant departments. Additionally, it applies to owners, operators, principals, teachers, and caregivers. Early Childhood Commission administers and enforces the Act. In particular, the Commission registers institutions and conducts inspections.
What is covered
Firstly, the Act regulates the establishment and registration of early childhood institutions. Secondly, it sets conditions for lawful operation. Furthermore, it governs management staffing, and supervision of children. It also provides for inspection and monitoring of institutions.
Critically, in the context of regulating school environments, it authorises the Minister of Education to develop regulations on nutrition, health and sanitation. Standard 7 of the Standards for the Operation, Management and Administration of Early Childhood Institutions outlines criteria to assess the performance of the Regulations.
Key provisions
Early childhood institutions are defined under section 2 as any setting that provides developmentally appropriate care, stimulation, education and socialization, for children under the age of six years, including day care centres and basic schools.
Section 23(1) authorizes the Minister to make regulations for implementing the Act. Section 23(2)(g) specifically allows regulations that set guidelines for nutrition programmes in early childhood institutions.