History and Evolution of Jamaica's Child Care System
1.
2. AGENDA
Types of Child Care System
History/Evolution of System
Underlying Philosophy
Availability
Accessibility
Role of ECE/ Training
Summation
4. A BRIEF LOOK AT JAMAICA’S
BACKGROUND
Population
Occupied
Economy-Debt
Independence
5. FIRST COMMUNITY BASED
SCHOOL
Rev Henry Ward
Basic school
Mr. Grant-Five year project
Van Leer Corporation
Be responsible for the Early Childhood Education and
curriculum guides
6. 1970s
Education remained uncommon even after the abolition of
slavery
Early efforts were conducted mostly by Christian churches
7. 1980s
Four levels of public school system
Preprimary level was made up of infant and basic schools
(ages four to six)
Primary education was provided at primary and “all- age”
schools (grades one through six)
8. THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Mission statement
To provide a system which secures quality education
and training for all persons in Jamaica and achieves
effective integration of educational and cultural
resources in order to optimize individual and national
development
9. THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Expansion of Teacher Trainers for special education
programs
Funding for basic schools
Budget allocation
Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Head offices
6 Regional offices
10. TYPES OF CHILD CARE SYSTEMS
Day care center (Government built, private home-based)
Infant school
Nursery school
Privately operated pre-school
Basic school- A system of Community Based (basic
schools) has been established and appears to be a viable
approach. With these systems in place the challenge now
is to continue and maintain their extended scope because
of their economic decline.
12. BELIEFS AND VALUES
Identify and develop social, intellectual, physical and
emotional needs of the child
Co-operate in developing and maintaining continuous
research and evaluation of teaching and learning activities
in ECE
13. BELIEFS AND VALUES
Identify, educate and train various types of personnel
needed for optimal development and utilization of suitable
curriculum materials in ECE on an ongoing basis
Help parents (and teachers) understand the specific role
they play in the physical, mental, social and emotional
growth of children
Develop and maintain co-ordination of ECE with other
sections of the education system
14. HEAD START
A program of the United States Department of Health and
Human Services that is designed to help children from
birth to age five, who come from families with incomes
below or at the poverty level
Focus on children from a
disadvantaged background
15. APPROACHES
Various curriculum approaches to educate young children
a) Montessori
b) Pestalozzi
c) Piaget
d) Froebel
e) Dewey
f) Bruner
16. PESTALOZZI
Based on Johan Heinrich Pestalozzi’s theory
Develop children into well balanced and responsible
adults by fostering their “head, heart and hand”
Encouraged and expected to set up foundations in their
own countries to help educate new generations of
disadvantaged children
17. FROEBEL
Based on Friedrich Froebel’s theory
Curriculum is based on play. Play could be instructive
The teacher/student relationship should be one of equality
Education as self-activity
18. DEWEY
Based on John Dewey’s theory
Education is a method of social reform
Curriculum fluctuates differently among students
Education is designed on
the basis of a theory of
experience
19. BRUNER
Different ways of thinking were important at different
ages
Cognitive abilities develop through active interaction
Language is important for cognitive growth
Social exchange between the child and adult is very
important
20. AVAILABILITY
2,587 Early Childhood Institutions
1,921 Recognized Basic Schools
147 Unrecognized Basic Schools
402 Day Care Centers (Government built, private home-
based)
29 Government Infant Schools
83 Government Infant Departments
5 Special Education Institutions offer early childhood care
21. AVAILABILITY
Available for the majority of children up to age six
throughout Jamaica
The enrolments rate of 3 - 5 year old age cohort is 91%
and is one highest in the Caribbean Region
Over 80% of preschoolers enrolled in community operated
basic schools and under 20% are in Public Infant
Departments with benefits from government subsidies
Slogan: “ Education is everybody’s business”,
“ Education is an attitude”
22. ACCESSIBILITY
All children are eligible to attend government subsidized
and supported pre-primary programs and day care
facilities
Typical age for enrollment in Basic Schools, Infant
Schools, and Infant Departments is four
Home-based and day care facilities generally have
children from infancy to age four
Basic schools are financed by subsidies from a sponsoring
body, the government and minimal fees paid by parents
23. ACCESSIBILITY
Infant schools and infant departments programs are
financed by the government, these schools charge no fees
and are available to all children.
Private schools all charge fees(daily or weekly), some of
them quite high
Children with learning disabilities have access to special
education programs in many government schools, often
aided greatly by the activities and support of a number of
voluntary agencies
24. TRAINING
The National Council for Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (NVTVET) developed national
competency standards for certifying early childhood
workers at three levels, from entry point to readiness for
formal teacher training
At least level 1 training to be early childhood practitioners
The basic school teacher is required to have at least three
subjects on the Jamaican School Certificate, including
English and Mathematics
25. TRAINING
Ministry of Education has always provided support in the
form of continuous training of the basic school teachers
Practicing early childhood teachers receive certification
after completing a two-year training course at a teacher’s
college
These teachers are required to upgrade their academic
training through evening and summer classes or through a
one-year post-certificate course to gain a diploma in
education
26. TRAINING
Bachelor of Education (ECE) degrees are offered by the
Consortium of Institutions for Teacher Education
(CITE)
Teachers with diplomas and degrees usually work in infant
schools or departments
27. APPLE STORY
Minor things have deep influence on children. We should
be careful about what we say and what we do to them.
28. HAPPY ADULT
ADULT Childhood Role of ECE
Healthy Nutritious food Model
Good Career Knowledge & Skills Guide
Happy Family Emotional Skills Friend
Friends Social skills Partner
Hobbies Interests & Passions Inspirer
30. GUIDE
Curriculum should include organized play, stories, action
songs, care of a children’s garden, foundation work in
reading, writing, and number work, and arts and crafts.
31. FRIEND
Love children and gain love from them
Develop close and trusting relationships
Develop emotional skills
32. PARTNER
Solve problems between children, help develop social
skills
Play with children: physical activities; music & movement
A traditional Jamaican children’s song and ring game:
Brown Girl in the Ring
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH_Iu-CSqe0
33. INSPIRER
Observe children’s interests and encourage them
Positive attitude toward life, no matter what they will be
faced with
34. SUMMATION
British Model
The philosophical base is eclectic
System: Basic Schools, Day Care Centers, Government
infant schools, Government Infant Departments, Special
Education Institutions offering Early Childhood.
Available for the majority of children up to age six
35. SUMMATION
Over 80% of preschoolers enrolled attend community
operated basic schools and just under 20% are in Public
Infant Departments and private centers which benefit from
government subsidies
ECE are certified at three levels. At least level one training
is a must to work in this area
Role of ECE as model, guide, partner, friend and inspirer
36. Dr Suess ABC read in Jamaican Patois
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN3ZadHV8E8&featur
e=player_embedded