By Nakasia Logan
December 11, 2024
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has announced a new initiative to revolutionize early childhood care in Guyana, including the establishment of two government-funded day and night care centers.
These facilities will serve as models for child care and early childhood education across the country.
The centers, expected to open by the end of this year or early next year, aim to provide safe, nurturing environments for children while also offering practical training for caregivers.
This training will focus on early childhood development and special needs education, equipping participants with the skills required to establish their own facilities in local communities.
The initiative aligns with the Ministry’s “Every Child Safe” program, which emphasizes building trust and confidence among parents and guardians in care facilities.
The program seeks to ensure that caregivers are well-trained in child safety, security, and developmental needs.
Additionally, the Ministry has been working on an integrated early childhood policy, set to be finalized and printed before the end of 2024.
This policy forms a critical part of the government’s long-term strategy to promote early childhood development nationwide.
The Ministry, in collaboration with UNICEF, has also developed a new curriculum under the WINN program, which incorporates special needs education.
This curriculum will be distributed to caregivers and educators to support children’s growth and learning comprehensively.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud emphasized the importance of these efforts in creating a nationwide network of well-trained professionals to provide high-quality care for children from all backgrounds.
The initiative also includes provisions to support immigrant and non-immigrant children, as well as programs aimed at empowering women.
This initiative reflects the government’s continued commitment to enhancing early childhood education and ensuring that all children in Guyana have access to quality care and learning opportunities.