“Building the Wealth of Cayman through Quality Early Childhood Care and Education” is the theme of the free Professional Development Conference which will be held on October 20th to 22nd, 2011 at the Ritz Carlton.

Organised and hosted by the Cayman Islands Early Childhood Association (CIECA), the weekend will begin with a Pre-conference session for parents of children birth to eight years of age on Thursday October 20th, at 7:00pm.

This “parents only” session will feature an opening activity by Hylton Grace and a presentation by Educator and Musician, Maryann Harman on “Getting your children ready for life through music and play”.

On Friday October 21st, 2011 there will be an interactive music concert for children only at 10:00am at the Cayman Islands Baptist Church on Pedro Castle Road in Savannah.  Maryann Harman will engage children in music and movement activities using some of the many songs she has written and taught to children over the years internationally.

At 7:00pm on Friday October 21stat the Ritz Carlton, there will be an official launching of the conference with a VIP reception for dignitaries, keynote speakers and workshop presenters.

On Saturday October 22nd, there will be a full Professional Development Conference programme from 8:00am – 4:00pm for all practitioners, caregivers, teachers, operators and administrators of Early Childhood Care and Education facilities on the Island.  Participants will have the opportunity to hear keynote speaker Ellen Galinsky, a pre-eminent researcher and author whose recent publication “Mind in the making…the seven essential life skills every child needs” will be the focus of her address.

During the course of the 3 days there will be vendor displays by businesses and organisations that provide goods and services for young children, families and schools in Cayman.

“To build a nation we must start with our young children” says President Reina Jefferson and “this professional development conference provides an opportunity for the Cayman Islands Early Childhood Association to lead the way by investing in those individuals who touch these young lives each and every day in the Cayman Islands.”

For any additional details on the Conference or to provide a donation to the Association please call Public Relations Officer Laurel Fraser at 938-1866 or Vice-President Shauna Haylock at 916-6367.