The Ministry of Education is excited to announce the continued success and growth of its Smart Start Early Stimulation Programme. Managed by the Ministry’s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Unit, the 30-week programme is designed to serve families and young children aged 3 to 4 years old in Bodden Town, North Side, and East End. This year, the programme has expanded to include hands-on parent mentoring to further support the development of both children and their caregivers. 

Premier and Minister for Education, Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Conolly stated, “The Smart Start Early Stimulation Programme is an invaluable resource for our families and young children. I take pride in the strides we are making to support the growth and development of our future generations. By broadening the programme to include hands-on parent mentoring, we are reinforcing our commitment to providing holistic support for both children and caregivers.”

Vanessa Cameron, ECCE Officer and Smart Start Programme Lead, emphasized how the project nurtures the development and learning of young children through engaging activities like Family Circle Sessions and Book Buzz events at local libraries, in collaboration with the nonprofit organization LIFE Cayman. The initiative provides a vital, enriching environment that helps children flourish, while also supporting parents in enhancing their child’s school readiness. 

Shari Welcome, whose first child began the programme two years ago, shared her experience: “I saw the benefits with him. We really saw him blossom once he started interacting with the other kids. It was a no-brainer to enroll our second child in the programme as well.” 

This year, the ECCE Unit, in collaboration with the Family Resource Centre and the Department of Children and Family Services, launched the Roving Parent Mentorship Programme as part of its strategic priority to empower parents as key partners in their children’s development. Volunteers receive comprehensive training in child development, effective communication, and safeguarding protocols. They then work directly with parents and caregivers in their homes, offering personalised guidance to help support their child’s literacy and social-emotional growth.

Senior Policy Advisor and Manager of the ECCE Unit, Dr. Pearlyn Henry-Burrell,shared, “We recognise that parents and caregivers are a child’s first teachers. Our goal is to empower families by enhancing their ability to provide nurturing care and create stimulating home learning environments through focused support and guidance.”

Speaking on the vision for the programme, she added, “This initiative will have a profound impact on families by strengthening parent-child relationships, deepening parents’ understanding of child development, and equipping them with practical strategies to support their child’s communication and social-emotional skills.” 

To learn more about the Smart Start Early Stimulation Programme or the Roving Parent Mentorship Programme, please email the Ministry’s Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Unit at ecce@gov.ky or call 525-1322.