The Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD) hosted the Annual National Evaluation Workshop on the two-year implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) for ECCE 2021-2022 on Friday, 2 December 2022.
The workshop took place at the STC Conference Room, the goal being for the sectors to showcase their final achievements, discuss issues on implementing the ECCE plan and consider the percentage completion rate of the different sectors.
There were 16 projects in total in the NAP for ECCE (2021-22), all founded on the following principles: Accountability, Service Delivery, Parental and Community Participation, Training and Professional Growth. The fifth edition of the National Action Plan for ECCE (2021-22) has completed its two-year implementation.
The Education sector focused on increasing young children’s achievement levels by measuring their progress and presenting action research for teachers to use based on pre-numeracy to make appropriate interventions and share ideas. Mr Cyril Pillay, head of the Education ECCE Technical Team, suggested that the project expands into a more robust system. Local Government and Community Affairs officials reaffirmed their commitment to improving existing government-owned daycare facilities.
The Health Sector had four projects in the NAP for ECCE (2021-22), which provide care for children aged zero to five. This sector gave a PowerPoint presentation on evaluating the Early Childhood Health Profile, Gadget and Screen Usage in Daycare Centres and Screening of Newborn for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEMs) and the trial of a new Personal Child Health Record (PCHR) Booklet. Evidence suggests that these four initiatives are significant and will assist in delivering high quality care for young children.
One of the Social Affairs projects involved the surveillance of Foyer de La Providence and Foyer de Nazareth through surveillance cameras by implementing the Child Protection Standards. The sector acknowledged the relationship with the private owner of two homes as critical to the project’s success. This sector’s other initiative was a study on the Well-Being of Teenage Mothers, the findings disseminated in various forums. It is worthwhile to expand the project to develop policies that will enhance the welfare of teenage mothers and address imbalances.
IECD made the final presentation through a conversation with six panelists who had participated in each of the NAP projects, and it included visuals in an animated display. Mr Fabian Palmyre, Director General at the Ministry of Education’s Planning and Policy Department, took part in the pilot project to develop structures and procedures for Data Collection based on Early Childhood Development (ECD) Indicators for the Education. He emphasizes the need to collect and analyse ECCE data.
Included were Mrs. Nadege Camille, Senior Social Worker. Mrs. Camille stated that she had a positive experience working on the data management in social affairs project. She further remarked on the amount of data social workers are collecting and new information obtained based on the 35 ECD indicators.
Ms Marvel Simeon, Daycare Operator at ‘The Play House’ located at Glacis. On the other hand, Ms. Simeon stated that the “Audit Provision of Day Care Services was an excellent project. She pointed out that the feedback received from the Audit Team has helped her to improve the level of compliance to the proposed national standards. She welcomed this initiative to bring about positive changes in the Day Care Provision.
Mrs Elisca Zialor, a retired early childhood educator, is a member of the Early Learning Programme Working Group for the ‘Development of Early Learning Programme and Resources’ project for children in Home-Based Childminding Establishments. “All registered childminders appreciated the initiatives and found them to be quite beneficial in allowing them the essential pre-learning to young children,” expressed Mrs. Zialor. She concluded by stating that this was a unique project and working with registered childminders and children in the 0-3 age group.
Ms. Mesha Pellisier, a registered childminder from St. Louis and the overall best award recipient of ‘Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Home-Based Childcare Providers, expressed that the project was critical for the childminders because it was a first for them to obtain an accredited certificate in childcare and development. She expressed her gratitude to IECD (The initiator of the project), SITE and SQA for the exemplary collaborative work to build capacity and train childcare service providers.
Lastly, the Director of Programme Coordination and Research at IECD and project officer for the sixth project titled ‘Parental Involvement in the Early Learning Needs of Children’, Ms Marie-France Barra, noted the recommendation made by parents when administering the Assessment of Early Learning Readiness in the year 2020. “Parents of children aged zero to four, were asked to assess their level of involvement in the early learning needs of their children through a survey. The results’ critical recommendations provide insights into sensitisation and stimulation in pre-learning sessions equipping parents for better involvement in young children’s learning needs.”
In addition to the sectoral presentations mentioned above, attendees participated in a plenary session where they had the opportunity to debate the various progress presentations, ask questions, and reflect on the impact of the projects highlighted in the NAP for ECCE 2021-2022. One of the primary conclusions was the first-year status report in December 2021; it had achieved significant progress in implementing the project’s key milestones. The total key milestones completion percentage for projects is 81% nationally, with all projects expected completion and meaningful project reports submitted by December 2022. Furthermore, the moderator of the plenary session, Dr. Andre Leste described the quality of the NAP Projects and its effective implementation as ‘extraordinary’.
The project completion demonstrates the sectoral teams’ commitment to implementation in improving the education and care provided to children aged zero to eight.
In her closing remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of IECD, Mrs. Shirley Choppy, congratulated all workshop participants and commended the various sectors for their remarkable efforts throughout the two-year implementation of the fifth edition of NAP. She also stated that work on the sixth edition, “National Action Plan for ECCE 2023-2024,” has already begun.
