August 24, 2026On August 21, 2026, IECD — UNESCO Category 2 Institute for Early Childhood Care and Education — held an in-person and virtual meeting with representatives from all private preschools in Seychelles to discuss the new National Standards for Crèche and Preschool Education.
This is a historic first — standards had previously existed only for child care services (0–3 years); this marks the first time standards have been introduced specifically for preschools (4–5 years), in line with the ECD Act 2022 and international best practice.
The meeting brought together Mrs. Shirley Choppy (CEO, IECD), Dr. Andre Leste (Education Expert), Ms. Marie-France Barra (Project Officer), and preschool leaders from across Seychelles. Dr. Leste presented the standards, covering safety, health, teaching methods, and staff requirements.
Preschool leaders welcomed the standards warmly, with several — including the Independent School, who already partner with Cambridge University on an early years curriculum — highlighting progress already underway.
Key themes raised: the need for more training for Teacher Assistants and caregivers working with children with special needs, better access to specialists, and a proposed support network linking preschools with training institutions and mentorship.
Next steps:
- A final consultation in September 2026 with Ministry of Education policy-makers
- A baseline study by IECD in early 2027 to assess current practices against the new standards
Together, we’re building a stronger foundation for quality early childhood education in Seychelles.
