The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, cognizant of the findings of research as it relates to the stimulation given to children in their early years, has embarked on a programme to provide universal early childhood education. This stand was taken so that the disadvantaged and disposed children in Antigua and Barbuda will have opportunities to be exposed to the appropriate stimulation in their early years. With this in mind, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology will embark on a project that will see the construction of a two-storey building which will be located in Buckley’s on land owned by the State.
Project Summary
The building will house a model Early Childhood Centre on the first floor and administrative offices and adult training facilities on the second floor and will offer the following:
- Day care services for 10 children aged 0-2 years.
- Pre-school services for 30 children aged 3-5 years.
- Certificate training in Early Childhood Education for 160 Early Childhood Practitioners annually.
- Workshops for parents of Early Childhood learners.
- Research in the area of early childhood learning and early childhood programme development.
- Administrative support for the Early Childhood sector.
As part of its commitment to Early Childhood Education programmes, The Maria Holder Memorial Trust will be partnering with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in Antigua to ensure that the need for education of children in the early years can be adequately met.