Presentation delivered at the Early Childhood Development Regional Research Conference, hosted by UNICEF and the Caribbean Development Bank, February 13- 15, 2018 in Antigua and Barbuda.

1. ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

2. KEY UPDATES (2012-2018)
Early Childhood Development Unit piloted an Associate Degree
in collaboration with Mona Campus Jamaica.
High Scope Trainer of Trainers – Two Early Childhood Officers
and one teacher was trained as trainer of trainers in the High
Scope Curriculum.
Early Childhood Development Unit began a preschool to primary
school transition programme during the month of May.
ECDU produced a training video for Daycare workers

3. KEY UPDATES (2012-2018)
The Ministry of Education Science and Technology opened three
government owned and operated preschools.
The Early Childhood Development Unit was assigned a person
to assist with children who exhibit characteristics consistent with
“special needs”
Consultation was held with Dr. Tristi Nicolas regarding the
formation of an Early Childhood Council. This council will assist
with the supervision and regularizing of the sector.

4. CHALLENGES
• The Early Childhood Regulations and Standards has been ratified
since 2008 but to date is still not gazetted. Without the legal
support it is impossible to regularize the sector.
• Insufficient government preschools to service the at risk population.
There are still many children who are not exposed to early
stimulation.
• Insufficient staff at the Early Childhood Development Unit to
effectively monitor the ninety-two centres that are currently in
operation.