The latest assessment of the nation’s early childhood institutions has revealed that the majority of the schools have not met the Early Childhood Commission (ECC) standards, scoring below 50% in recent inspections.

According to the Early Childhood Commission, the infant and basic schools fall below the mid-range of the standards and need significant support from stakeholders to be certified.

The “Assessment Report of Early Childhood Institutions March 2022” released today (April 27) says there are 2,373 early childhood institutions.

44% or 1,056 of the schools inspected did not meet half the standards.

Only 12% of schools or 282 institutions scored 100% in inspections.

2% or 56 schools scored between 85 and 99%, while 185 schools scored between 70 and 84%.

124 schools were not inspected, while 61 are deemed delinquent as they have not applied for permits to operate.

Chairman of the Regulations and Certification Committee at the ECC, David Salmon says the schools were inspected based on 12 standards, which consist of 231 legal requirements.

The 12 standards include staffing, developmental programmes, physical environment, equipment, nutrition, and safety.

Mr. Salmon says the ECC is concerned about region two which comprises Portland, St. Mary and St. Thomas. This as 77% of the early childhood institutions in those parishes did not meet half the standards.

The ECC Commissioner indicates there are also concerns for regions 6 and 7, which cover St. Catherine and Clarendon.

Region four which comprises Westmoreland, St. James and Hanover has the highest proportion of institutions that are certified.

This region has the lowest number of schools with scores below 50%.