Children retain more at an early age than at any other time period in their education.  As a result of this, the Ministry of Education, Training and Employment has emphasised the need for all children to have a strong foundation which is a priority area in the education reform in the Cayman Islands.

Early Year practitioners from both public and private institutions have been taking the Early Years Introduction Course facilitated by the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Unit in the Ministry of Education.  This course provides base level training in order for practitioners to provide a strong foundation for the children with whom they work.

On Thursday, 16 February 12 practitioners in Cayman Brac received their certificates of completion and on Monday 20 February 84 practitioners in Grand Cayman received theirs.

Each of the practitioners at the ceremonies interacts with children ages six months to five years. A main focus of the ECCE is to teach students through play. The training also gave the practitioners the tools and resources to follow the new curriculum.

Cayman Brac practitioners celebrated at Brac Reef Resort with Deputy Premier, Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, JP, Senior Policy Advisor for ECCE, Ms. Julie Madgwick and Early Childhood Officer, Mrs. April Tibbetts.

In Grand Cayman the celebration took place at Mary Miller Hall.  Chief Officer in the Ministry, Mrs. Mary Rodrigues spoke to the practitioners, saying, “Thank you all for participating with us. We are so delighted to be able to provide our children with highly trained individuals.”

The Premier Hon. McKeeva Bush, OBE, JP was on hand to celebrate the achievement with the practitioners in Grand Cayman and said, “All of our children deserve quality learning experiences with caring and knowledgeable adults.” He continued: “You nurture and support our children from infancy to primary levels. Your training shows you the best practices to implement in each of the centres and I applaud you all for participating.”

Minister of Education, the Hon. Rolston Anglin, JP was proud of each of the teachers who were able to participate and complete the course. “Great teachers can inspire young minds, and young people, despite their circumstances, can prevail,” he said. “I am so pleased at the number of you that have completed the initial training and thank you for all of your diligent work and your continued support to the Early Childhood Curriculum.”