Nursery workers taught creativity in managing ‘Toddler Environments’

(EMU) – St. Kitts, April 23, 2013: The Early Childhood Development Unit recently completed its annual orientation for new child care workers, as it continues to maintain the Federation’s position as a model in early childhood education in the region.

Director of Early Childhood Mrs. Jacquelyn Morris told the Education Media Unit that it is very important that the rating received by the local programme is indicative of her Unit’s determination to provide optimal care for the youngest residents of St. Kitts and Nevis as well as very committed staff.

“The orientation workshop… engaged participants in approximately four sessions daily, exposing them to a number of topics, to help to introduce them to the level of care that children receive as well as to improve the early stimulation. Such stimulation will support healthy brain development and foster positive learning outcomes,” the Director stated.

Thirty-two child care providers from government and private centres were trained over the two -week period by five members of staff from the Early Childhood Development Unit.

Hands-on, interactive sessions gave participants the opportunity to learn new skills as well as to hone existing ones. Carefully selected topics included Brain Development and Early Stimulation, Minimum Day Care Standards, Childhood Development Milestones, the Importance of Daily Routine, Child Support during the day’s activities, as well as Infant and Toddler Hygiene.

Other interesting and popular topics included team planning, detecting child abuse, story-telling, paediatric emergencies and Music and Movement.

Representative from the Ministry of Education and Education Officer, Mrs. Debbie Isaac in conveying the Ministry’s pleasure with the success of the programme explained that the Unit takes its vision seriously.

Longstanding Early Childhood Educator Mrs. Valerie Dolphin commended participants for their very positive involvement in the training.

Each group added significantly to the event and gave a workshop response at the closing ceremony which turned out to be glowing tributes to the early childhood programme.

In summary, each group representative expressed the felt that they had a much better handle on what was expected of them as well as the skills to successfully interact with and care for toddlers.