December 20, 2025As part of the Institute of Early Childhood Development-UNESCO Category 2 Institute ongoing commitment to excellence and professional growth, a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) session for regulatory staff was held on 16th December, 2025. The session was facilitated by Dr. Geraldine Zuzarte, a member of the IECD-UNESCO Category 2 Institute Governing Board. This was the second time Dr. Zuzarte, a board member, conducted a CPD session for staff. The Board and Management warmly welcomed this initiative, viewing it as an important component of their efforts to support the Institute’s international collaborations and mission.
The session focused on ‘Quality Improvement’ and ‘Quality Assurance within Early Childhood Education and Care Services’. It was designed as an interactive and reflective conversation, encouraging meaningful exchange of ideas among staff and this fosters a collaborative learning environment.
Dr. Zuzarte opened the session by emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning in the early childhood sector. She highlighted that CPD is not merely a regulatory obligation but a professional responsibility essential for maintaining high standards. She underscored that continuous learning enables educators and officers of the Institute to stay informed, competent, and responsive to the evolving needs of children, families, and society.
Throughout the session, Dr. Zuzarte skilfully linked practical field experiences with theoretical concepts and regulatory expectations, drawing attention to the dynamic nature of early childhood education. Participants were actively engaged through interactive discussions and were given opportunities to ask questions and seek clarification in a participatory and reflective learning atmosphere.
In addition, Dr. Zuzarte shared insights from recent inspection visits to several childcare facilities, including ‘Footprints Beta Day Care Centre’ at Ile Perseverance (owned by Mr. and Mrs. Juddy Jean-Baptiste), ‘Kids Play Child Care’ at Les Cannelles (owned by Mrs. Alice Jean), and ‘Kiddies Childminding’ at Perseverance 2 (owned by Ms. Natasha Reine). She expressed her positive observations, stating, “I am impressed with the significant improvements in quality and standards since my last visits in 2019. I commend and appreciate IECD’s relentless efforts and exemplary work over the past few years to enhance service provision and elevate the quality of childcare.”
A key highlight of the session was the sharing of international best practices, notably from Singapore—a small island developing nation. Dr. Zuzarte presented the ‘SPARK Accreditation Framework’, which illustrates preschools’ commitment to quality through ongoing reflection and practice refinement. The session was further enriched by informative videos on the SPARK accreditation process and insights into her current school in Singapore, providing valuable global perspectives.
This exchange of knowledge and experiences reinforced the importance of collaboration and strong partnerships between IECD and international bodies involved in early childhood development.
In conclusion, the CPD session was both informative and inspiring. It reaffirmed the value of continuous learning, reflective practice, and professional integrity within IECD. Staff departed with renewed motivation and a clearer understanding of how professional development directly contributes to the enhancement of quality Early Childhood Education and Care Services.
