KINGSTON, Jamaica, Oct 21, CMC – Jamaica is hosting early-childhood development leaders from across the Eastern Caribbean as part of a two-day Knowledge Exchange Study Tour that began on Wednesday, aimed at strengthening regional early-childhood development (ECD) systems through collaboration, innovation and shared learning.
The event has brought together representatives from the member countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), along with officials from the St. Lucia-based of OECS Commission’s Education Development Management Unit (EDMU).
The objective is to examine Jamaica’s approaches to early childhood governance, regulation, quality assurance, workforce development and multi-sectoral coordination.
The Early Childhood Commission (ECC), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI), is hosting the two day event under the theme, “Strengthening OECS ECD Systems through Modelling Multi-Sectoral Governance and Professional Standards”.
ECG chair, Trisha Williams-Singh, said this knowledge exchange represents an opportunity to move beyond dialogue towards practical solutions, stronger regional partnerships and policies that make a measurable difference in children’s lives.
“The two-day engagement is expected to strengthen regional partnerships, support evidence-informed policymaking and contribute to the development of practical strategies for improving early-childhood development outcomes across the Caribbean,” she explained.
Participants will engage in field observations through visits to an ECC Brain Builders Centre and an early childhood institution.
Through a series of presentations, discussions and engagements with key stakeholders, participants will explore Jamaica’s early childhood development architecture and examine practical strategies that can be adopted and implemented within their respective territories.
The engagement will provide an opportunity for participants to share lessons learned, and is expected to foster deeper collaboration among participating countries, support evidence-informed policymaking and contribute to the development of strategies aimed at improving outcomes for young children throughout the region.
CMC/ag/ir/2026