The Institute of Early Childhood Development (IECD)-UNESCO Category 2 Institute today revealed the results of a National Assessment conducted last year in Crèches and Preschools. The findings were shared during the 2nd National Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Forum, held at a packed STC Conference Room. Participants included Headteachers, Teachers-in-Charge, and ECCE coordinators from 37 public crèches and private preschools, alongside key stakeholders.
The forum was officially opened by the Minister of Education, Dr. Justin Valentin, in the presence of the Principal Secretary for Education Services, Ms. Merna Eulentin; the Chairman of the IECD Local Board, Dr. Javier Rose; other Board members; ECCE Technical Team members; and various stakeholders and partners in early childhood education.
In his opening address, Minister Valentin emphasized the critical role of assessment in shaping early childhood education policies, stating that the findings demonstrate that high-quality early learning environments aren’t defined merely by colorful toys or attractive spaces.
“It is about about a whole spectrum – safety, nutrition, curriculum, staff intractions, leadership, and more. (…), it is the result of careful policies, continuous evaluation , and targeted support” he said.
The National ECCE Forum, an initiative of IECD, serves as a key platform for ECCE professionals to collaborate. The event facilitated information sharing, exchange of experiences, and dialogue among stakeholders, contributing to a final report that will guide the establishment of a national framework for ECCE standards.
Following the opening, two presentations were delivered:
- Dr. Andre Leste (Consultant) discussed Quality Assessment Results.
- Mr. Egbert Benstrong (Director for Research, Data Management, and Knowledge Production at IECD) presented on Quality Areas Levels for Standards.
A panel discussion and interactive session allowed participants to engage with the findings.
While standards already exist for home-based and center-based childcare services, IECD—as the regulator for non-compulsory education—recognizes the need for research and scientific evidence to enhance quality across all ECCE settings. The assessment findings will serve as the foundation for developing comprehensive national standards for crèches and preschools.
Mrs. Shirley Choppy, CEO of IECD, highlighted the importance of the results:
“These findings provide critical insights that will inform the development of national standards for crèches and preschools. As an academic institute committed to research-based initiatives, IECD aims to introduce scientifically grounded standards, developed in collaboration with key stakeholders.”
In response to the assessment, Mrs. Choppy acknowledged mixed feedback from participants, attributing variations to differing expectations, questionnaire interpretations, and other factors. This marks the first public release of the assessment results, and discussions are underway on how to refine future studies.
Despite these challenges, IECD expressed satisfaction that the assessment offers a valuable overview of the current state of crèches and preschools nationally. The findings will help identify priority areas, ensuring all children have equal opportunities for development and learning.
