Jamaica Early Childhood Development : SABER Country Report 2013

This report presents an analysis of the early childhood development (ECD) programs and policies that affect young children in Jamaica and recommendations to move forward. This report is part of a series of reports prepared by the World Bank using the systems approach for better education results (SABER)-ECD framework and includes analysis of early learning, health, nutrition, and social and child protection policies and interventions in Jamaica, along with regional and international comparisons. In 2003, the early childhood commission (ECC) was established as a body corporate reporting to the Minister of Education and Youth with responsibility to coordinate the various sectors involved in ECD and oversee the quality of early childhood institutions (ECIs). As of 2013, the Government of Jamaica (GoJ) is in the process of developing a new national strategic plan (2013-2017) as well as a national multi-sector ECD policy. The present SABER-ECD analysis is intended to identify achievements, as well as gaps, in Jamaican ECD policies and programs in hopes of informing the development of the new plan