Members of the Preschool and Daycare Council were commissioned at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Pictured are Ms. Lateisha Smith, Assistant Treasurer; Mrs. Monique Hinsey, Member; Ms. Anne Edwards, Member; Ms. Jehan Wallace, Member; the Honourable Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science and Technology; Mrs. Agatha Archer, Co-Chairperson; Mrs. Roxanne Chipman, Co-Chairperson; Ms. Gina Dean, Treasurer and Ms. Cypriana Bethel, Secretary (Photo by Edgar Arnette).

Nassau, Bahamas - The Preschool and Daycare Council was commissioned on Monday, 20^th October, 2014 at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The Council will be the regulatory body for early childhood education and daycare with the specific duties and responsibilities to ensure that the quality of education that preschoolers receive is properly structured. Additionally the Council will be charged with developing standards and regulations as set out in law for daycare and preschool centres in The Bahamas and ensuring that the standards are adhered to.

Minister of Education, Science and Technology, the Honourable Jerome Fitzgerald said that the commissioning was an historic event in the country. He said that “as we change the paradigm of education in our country, we must do so at all levels and the most important level is the foundation years”. The Minister urged, “preschool and daycare centres to establish a strong educational foundation for our primary and high schools to build upon”. He also stated that the Ministry is “committed to ensuring that preschools across the length and breadth of The Bahamas have a compliment of staff that are well trained, highly qualified and understand the importance of a strong foundation”. Minister Fitzgerald thanked the members of the Council for partnering to help to provide the best learning opportunities for preschoolers.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Nicole Campbell was also at the commissioning exercise and told the Council that theirs was an important appointment that is critical to the nation. She highlighted that the council members have a large responsibility as the pioneers of this initiative. Mrs. Campbell assured the Council of the Ministry’s support.