90085 Jamaica SABER Country Report EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT 2013 Policy Goals Status 1. Establishing an Enabling Environment The early childhood development (ECD) system in Jamaica has a legal framework that includes policies, regulations, and a National Strategic Plan that protect children and their families and promote high quality service delivery. The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) serves as an institutional anchor and effectively coordinates across sectors. Financing for ECD, while adequate in some sectors, could be better coordinated with measures to ensure sustainable levels of investment in ECD. 2. Implementing Widely A wide scope of ECD programs exists in Jamaica, with essential interventions available across all relevant sectors. Coverage for health programs is adequate, but access to certain nutrition interventions could be scaled to reach all young children and pregnant mothers. There is universal access to preprimary school for 3-6 year olds, but early learning opportunities are not as easily available for children in the 0-3 age group. 3. Monitoring and Assuring Quality Jamaica has an advanced system to monitor levels of access and outcomes in ECD. Rigorous standards exist for ECD service delivery in the health and education sectors. Quality assurance measures have been enhanced in recent years, but compliance with standards could still be improved. THE WORLD BANK JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 This report presents an analysis of the Early Childhood and programs for young children. In 2003, the Early Development (ECD) programs and policies that affect Childhood Commission (ECC) was established as a young children in Jamaica and recommendations body corporate reporting to the Minister of Education to move forward. This report is part of a series of reports and Youth with responsibility to coordinate the various prepared by the World Bank using the SABER-ECD sectors involved in ECD and oversee the quality of framework 1 and includes analysis of early learning, early childhood institutions (ECIs). Between 2006 and health, nutrition and social and child protection policies 2008, the ECC coordinated the development of the and interventions in Jamaica, along with regional and GoJ’s first National Strategic Plan for ECD (2008-2013). international comparisons. The plan served as a roadmap for improving the quality of ECD in the country. Since 2008, the GoJ has made considerable progress in improving the ECD Jamaica and Early Childhood Development system; this has included strengthening the ECC as an institutional anchor, creating a system for monitoring Jamaica is an upper middle-income country with a total child health and development through the Child Health population of 2.7 million. With a land area of 10,991 and Development Passport, and enhancing and square kilometers Jamaica is the largest English-speaking tracking the quality of ECIs. island in the Caribbean. The GDP in Jamaica is US$14.4 billion. Jamaica is ranked 85th in the UNDP Human As of 2013, the GoJ is in the process of developing a development index. The country has a gross national new National Strategic Plan (2013-2017) as well as a income of US$4,800 per capita, with 17.6 percent of the national multi-sector ECD policy. The present SABER- population living below the national poverty line. In ECD analysis is intended to identify achievements, as 2012, 9 percent of the total population was younger well as gaps, in Jamaican ECD policies and programs in than 6 years old (411,055 children). hopes of informing the development of the new plan. Table 1 presents a comparison of selected ECD The Government of Jamaica (GoJ) has recognized the indicators in Jamaica and countries across the Latin importance of ECD through its support of public policies American and Caribbean region. Table 1: Snapshot of ECD indicators in Jamaica and other Latin American and Caribbean countries Trinidad Jamaica Barbados Brazil Chile Colombia and Tobago Infant Mortality (deaths per 1,000 live births) 20 18 14 8 15 25 Below 5 Mortality (deaths per 1,000 live births) 22 20 16 9 18 28 Births attended by a skilled attendant 98% 100% 97% 100% 99% 98% Not Not Not Moderate & Severe Stunting (Below 5, 2006-2010) 4% 7% 13% available available available Not 82% Gross Preprimary Enrollment Rate (3-6 years, 2010) 112% 108% 106% 49% available (2007) Not Birth registration 2000-2010 98% 93% 100% 97% 96% available Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2010; UNESCO Institute for Statistics, WHO, 2011; MoH, 2013 (infant and below 5 mortality). 1 SABER-ECD is one domain within the World Bank initiative, Systems Approach to Better Education Results (SABER), which is designed to provide comparable and comprehensive assessments of country policies. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 2 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 Systems Approach to Better Education Box 1: A checklist to consider how well ECD is Results – Early Childhood Development promoted at the country level What should be in place at the country level to promote (SABER-ECD) coordinated and integrated ECD interventions for young SABER – ECD collects, analyzes and disseminates children and their families? comprehensive information on ECD policies around the Health care world. In each participating country, extensive x Standard health screenings for pregnant women multisectoral information is collected on ECD policies x Skilled attendants at delivery and programs through a desk review of available x Childhood immunizations government documents, data and literature, and x Well-child visits interviews with a range of ECD stakeholders, including Nutrition government officials, service providers, civil society, x Breastfeeding promotion x Salt iodization development partners and scholars. The SABER-ECD x Iron fortification framework presents a holistic and integrated Early Learning assessment of how the overall policy environment in a x Parenting programs (during pregnancy, after delivery and country affects young children’s development. This throughout early childhood) assessment can be used to identify how countries x High quality childcare for working parents address the same policy challenges related to ECD, with x Free preprimary school (preferably at least two years with the ultimate goal of designing effective policies for developmentally appropriate curriculum and classrooms, young children and their families. and quality assurance mechanisms) Social Protection Box 1 presents an abbreviated list of interventions and x Services for orphans and vulnerable children policies that the SABER-ECD approach looks for in x Policies to protect rights of children with special needs countries when assessing the level of ECD policy and promote their participation/ access to ECD services development. This list is not exhaustive, but is meant to x Financial transfer mechanisms or income supports to provide an initial checklist for countries to consider the reach the most vulnerable families (could include cash key policies and interventions needed across sectors. transfers, social welfare, etc.) Child Protection Three Key Policy Goals for Early Childhood x Mandated birth registration Development x Job protection and breastfeeding breaks for new mothers x Specific provisions in judicial system for young children SABER-ECD identifies three core policy goals that x Guaranteed paid parental leave of least six months countries should address to ensure optimal ECD x Domestic violence laws and enforcement outcomes: Establishing an Enabling Environment, x Tracking of child abuse (especially for young children) Implementing Widely and Monitoring and Assuring x Training for law enforcement officers in regards to the Quality. Improving ECD requires an integrated approach particular needs of young children to address all three goals. As described in Figure 1, for each policy goal, a series of policy levers are identified, Figure 1: Three core ECD policy goals through which decision-makers can strengthen ECD. Strengthening ECD policies can be viewed as a continuum; as described in Table 2 on the following page, countries can range from a latent to advanced level of development within the different policy levers and goals. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 3 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 Table 2: ECD policy goals and levels of development Level of Development ECD Policy Goal Minimal legal framework; Regulations in some sectors; Developed legal framework; Establishing an Non-existent legal framework; some programs with functioning inter-sectoral robust inter-institutional Enabling ad-hoc financing; low inter- sustained financing; some coordination; sustained coordination; sustained Environment sectoral coordination. inter-sectoral coordination. financing. financing. Universal coverage; Low coverage; pilot programs Coverage expanding but gaps Near-universal coverage in comprehensive strategies Implementing in some sectors; high remain; programs established some sectors; established across sectors; integrated Widely inequality in access and in a few sectors; inequality in programs in most sectors; low services for all, some tailored outcomes. access and outcomes. inequality in access. and targeted. Information on outcomes at Information on outcomes Information on outcomes at Minimal survey data available; national, regional and local from national to individual national level; standards for Monitoring and limited standards for provision levels; standards for services levels; standards exist for all services exist in some sectors; Assuring Quality of ECD services; no exist for most sectors; system sectors; system in place to no system to monitor enforcement. in place to regularly monitor regularly monitor and compliance. compliance. enforce compliance. user fees for public health services. Both antenatal visits Policy Goal 1: Establishing an Enabling and skilled delivery are guaranteed in Jamaica. In Environment addition, standard health screenings for HIV and STDs ¾ ‘Ž‹…› ‡˜‡”•ǣ  ‡‰ƒŽ ”ƒ‡™‘” Ȉ for pregnant women are free and standard follow-up –‡”•‡…–‘”ƒŽ‘‘”†‹ƒ–‹‘Ȉ ‹ƒ…‡ and referral procedures are provided. The Ministry of An Enabling Environment is the foundation for the Health (MoH) has operational guidelines for prevention design and implementation of effective ECD policies. 2 of mother-to-child transmission and antenatal care as An enabling environment consists of the following: the well as a National Strategic Plan for HIV and Aids in existence of an adequate legal and regulatory Jamaica (2007-2012). framework to support ECD; coordination within sectors and across institutions to deliver services effectively; No official policy exists in Jamaica that sets out a and, sufficient fiscal resources with transparent and national position regarding maternal and child health. efficient allocation mechanisms. However, in 2007, the MoH produced a comprehensive Family Health Manual, which includes detailed objectives and strategies for health service provision for Policy Lever 1.1: infants and young children. The goal of the ECD section Legal Framework of the manual is to ensure holistic child development The legal framework comprises all of the laws and through promoting and protecting child wellness in the regulations which can affect the development of young family, health center, and community settings. The children in a country. The laws and regulations which manual outlines specific strategies for structured impact ECD are diverse due to the array of sectors which service provision at each development stage in the early influence ECD and because of the different constituencies years (through 8 years). To guide child visits, the manual that ECD policy can and should target, including pregnant presents norms for growth and various developmental women, young children, parents, and caregivers. milestones. It also summarizes age-specific clinical procedures as well as key messages for health providers National laws and regulations promote healthcare for to convey (immunization schedule, breastfeeding, pregnant women and young children. In 2009, a hygiene, early stimulation, etc.) at each well child visit. gazette to the National Health Services Act abolished In addition to age-specific guidelines for immunization outlined in the Family Health Manual, the Public Health 2 Act states that young children are required to receive a Brinkerhoff, 2009; Britto, Yoshikawa & Boller, 2011; Vargas-Baron, 2005. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 4 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 complete course of childhood immunizations Jamaica follows some, but not all, guidelines in (Immunization Regulations of 1986). accordance with the ILO Maternity Protection Convention. The Maternity Leave Act protects against New draft policy will promote appropriate dietary discriminatory dismissal of pregnant women; employers consumption by pregnant women and young children. are required to give employees the same job when they Voluntary measures, without enforcement mechanisms, return from maternity leave. However, employers are are in place 3 to meet the International Code of not required to provide breaks for nursing mothers. Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, a global health policy framework adopted by the WHO. Jamaica Table 3: Comparison of maternity and paternity leave complies with the Innocenti Declaration for the policies in Latin America and Caribbean Promotion, Protection, and Support of Breastfeeding. Jamaica Colombia Brazil Trinidad Barbados However, according to the MoH, only 40 percent of 12 weeks 14 weeks 13 weeks, 12 week maternity, at maternity, 17 weeks 100% for 1 infants are exclusively breastfed in Jamaica at 3 maternity at 100% for 8 10 days maternity, 1 month and months 4 . The MoH has recognized the need for weeks, paid paternity at day paternity 50% for 2 100% of salary, paid by increased emphasis on optimal infant and young child by the 100% of at 100% months, paid state. feeding practices. It recently drafted a new National employer. salary, paid of salary, paid by employer. No paternity No paternity by state and by state No paternity Infant and Young Child Feeding (NIYCF) Policy, which is leave. employer leave. leave. being reviewed by Cabinet (April, 2013). The draft NIYCF Source: ILO, 2012. Policy provides an operational framework and guidelines for programs and services that will promote Box 2: Relevant lessons from Sweden: The Swedish adequate nutritional practices for young children. Parental Insurance Benefit Summary: The Swedish Parental Insurance Benefit is the While the Nutrition Department of the MoH does not international exemplar for parental leave policy. Parental report a specific policy for salt iodization or flour Insurance in Sweden is designed to benefit both men and fortification, it reports that all salt is iodized and iron women. In total, the leave includes 480 days of paid leave, fortified food is encouraged. Additionally, the new 60 days of which are earmarked for the mother, 60 days for NIYCF Policy presents guidelines that promote the father, and the remainder to be divided as the couple complementary feeding with iron-rich foods for children chooses. It commences up to seven weeks prior to the expected birth, and also is available for parents adopting a 6-24 months, including fortified cereals. child. The compensation rate can vary; as a minimum, however, 80% of the employee’s salary is provided during Maternity leave and job protection is available, but leave. In addition, each parent is legally entitled to take Jamaican policy could better promote opportunities unpaid leave until a child is 18 months old. Addition benefits for parents/caregivers to provide care to newborns include: temporary parental leave, which entitles a parent and infants in their first year of life. The Maternity 120 days of parental leave annually to care for children Leave Act (1979) guarantees 12 weeks of maternity under the age of 12 with illness or developmental delay (child requires a doctor’s certificate); a pregnancy benefit, leave with guaranteed pay of 8 weeks. Leave is paid by payable for a maximum of 50 days to expectant mothers the employer. Fathers are not guaranteed any paid who are unable to work because of the physically demanding leave. Table 3 provides a sample of leave policies from nature of their jobs; and, pension rights for childcare years, other Latin American and Caribbean countries. which partially compensate the loss of future income during Compared to Jamaica and other countries in the region, the period when the parent is at home with the child. high performing countries like Sweden and the United Key considerations for Jamaica: Kingdom, offer greater protection for parental leave 9 Mandated parental leave for fathers and focus on enhanced economic and social planning. 9 Adequate, sustainable financial support to families Sweden’s approach, detailed in Box 2, is an advanced, during early stage of child’s life 9 Additional benefits for families with children who have flexible policy to ensure adequate care of the child. special needs 3 International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), 2006. State of the Jamaican law guarantees the provision of free Code by Country: A survey of measures taken by governments to preprimary education. In 2011, the GoJ added a implement the provisions of the International Code of Marketing of constitutional amendment called the Charter of Breastmilk Substitutes. 4 Mothers should exclusively breastfed until 6 months. Updated data Fundamental Rights and Freedoms. The charter declares does not exist for this period. that every child has a right to publically funded tuition SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 5 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 at preprimary (and primary) level. It should be noted The Early Childhood Act and Regulations (2005) that while free provision of preprimary school is promotes inclusive education for children with mandated by law, the Government currently provides disabilities. It also outlines the roles and responsibilities free public preprimary education for only approximately of ECIs and parents. The GoJ supports non- 10 percent of the population of children between 3 and governmental community-based programs that cater to 6 years old 5. disabled children who cannot access mainstream preprimary education. The National Policy for Persons Child protection policies and services, including birth with Disabilities provides a framework for the GoJ to registration and protection from violence, are provide equal opportunities for people, including young established in Jamaica. The Registration of Births and children, with disabilities. Deaths Act states that parents or caregivers of children Box 3: Key laws, policies, and regulations governing ECD are required to report a child’s birth within five days to in Jamaica local district registrars. Since 2007, Civil Bedside Key ECD Laws Registrars work in public and private hospitals to x Early Childhood Commission Act (2003) facilitate this registration process. x Child Care and Protection Act (2004) x Early Childhood Act and Regulations (2005) The GoJ promotes the reduction of family violence x National Parenting Support Commission Act (2012) across relevant sectors. The Child Development Agency (CDA), the organization primarily responsible for Other Policies/Regulations Protecting Women & Children Jamaica’s child protection system, has established x Public Health Act (1974) x Maternity Leave Act (1979) several services to prevent violence. This includes home x Registration of Births and Deaths Act (1981) visiting programs, child abuse tracking and reports x National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (2000) activities through the Office of the Children’s Registry. x Family Health Manual (2007) In addition, the ECC (discussed in detail in the following x National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS in Jamaica (2007- section) promotes training provision for early childhood 2012) care and education (ECCE) teachers so that they are x National Health Services Act (2008) equipped to identify situations of child abuse and x National Strategic Plan for Early Childhood Development neglect. Additionally, under the Ministry of Justice (2008-2013) x Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms (2011) (MoJ), several important interventions are in place to x National Parenting Support Policy (2012) protect children, including training for judges, lawyers, x National Infant and Young Child Feeding Policy (DRAFT, and law enforcement officers on children’s rights. An 2013) Office of the Children’s Advocate and specialized Children’s and Family Courts also exist in the national Policy Lever 1.2: judicial system to protect the rights of children. Intersectoral Coordination Social protection policies and services are established Development in early childhood is a multi-dimensional in Jamaica to protect vulnerable young children. The process. 6 In order to meet children’s diverse needs Childcare and Protection Act guarantees all children, during the early years, government coordination is including orphans and vulnerable children and children essential, both horizontally across different sectors as with special needs, a range of ECD services. The Act is well as vertically from the local to national levels. In designed to protect the best interests of all children, many countries, non-state actors (either domestic or including each child’s right to safety, continuity of care, international) participate in ECD service delivery; for this development of physical and emotional needs, quality reason, mechanisms to coordinate with non-state actors relationships, and education. The CDA and several non- are also essential. governmental agencies provide services to orphans and vulnerable children, including those affected by The ECC serves as the national institutional anchor to HIV/AIDS. coordinate ECD across sectors. In 2003, the ECC was established as an official agency to govern the administration of ECD in Jamaica (Early Childhood 5 Commission Act). Operating under the Ministry of Public preprimary schools, known as Infant Schools and Infant Departments have traditionally been for 4 and 5 year olds but a few 6 schools have 3 year olds. Naudeau et al., 2011; UNESCO-OREALC, 2004; Neuman, 2007. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 6 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 Education (MoE) and reporting directly to the Minister timely and appropriate information availability. of Education, the ECC is responsible for advising the As of June 2013, the GoJ is in the process of drafting a MoE on ECD policy matters. It assists in the preparation new NSP (2013-2017) as well as a new ECD policy, which as well as monitoring and evaluation of ECD plans and will be known as the Early Childhood Development programs, acts as a coordinating agency to streamline Policy of Jamaica. The national policy will be applied ECD activities, manages the national ECD budget, and sub-nationally and cover education, health, nutrition, supervises and regulates ECIs. The ECC includes a and child and social protection. To complement this governance arm comprised of the officially appointed new policy and NSP, the Government is encouraged to Executive Director, a Board of Commissioners, and include a costed implementation plan. seven sub-committees representing governmental and Mechanisms exist for collaboration with local and non- non-governmental organizations. It also has an state stakeholders. In addition to national-level operational arm that implements the policies and coordination, the ECC coordinates with the local-level programs as determined by the Board and its technical early childhood actors. The ECC holds monthly subcommittees. As displayed in Figure 2, the ECC is coordination meetings for ECD implementers at the designed with representation from all relevant sectors, service delivery level. In addition, the ECC board has including education, health, local government and had a representative from the Jamaica Early Childhood community development, labor, finance, protection, Association (JECA) since its inception. JECA, a non-state and planning. Each ministry or government agency entity, is comprised of management bodies of all nominates a representative to serve on the Board of community-based ECIs. The ECC arranges for both Commissioners. The seven sub-committees which training and information sharing meetings with local provide technical support to the ECC board are service providers and practitioners from JECA. comprised of 50 governmental and non-governmental agencies. A newly established commission creates links between Jamaican parents and the GoJ. In 2012, the MoE The Government is in the process of drafting a new introduced the National Parenting Support Policy explicitly-stated multi-sectoral ECD strategy. In 2008, (2012). The Government recognized that parents should with the support of the World Bank, the GoJ developed serve an important role to promote and coordinate the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Early Childhood organizational efforts and resources for positive Development 2008-2013 to improve the ECD system in parenting practices and optimal opportunities for young Jamaica. The NSP includes strategies for internal children. In conjunction with the policy, the National processes, including effective parenting, healthcare, Parenting Support Commission Act (2012) established screening and early identification and referral for at-risk an official coordinating body to ensure effective children, quality early childhood facilities, and streamlining of GoJ activities related to parenting. The curriculum delivery. It also includes strategies for National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC) is working environment processes, including a results- responsible for monitoring and evaluating the oriented framework for relevant sector agencies and implementation of the National Parenting Support Figure 2: Intersectoral composition of Early Childhood Commission SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 7 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 Policy and recommending budgetary allocations for valuable lessons from Colombia, a country which has parenting programs for the MoE. also recently developed a new multisectoral ECD strategy. Box 4 describes how the national ECD strategy The Parenting Strategy promotes the establishment of includes an integrated service delivery scheme known Parents’ Places, centers that provide parenting as the Ruta Integral, which presents a common plan of information, support, and training for both parents and action for implementation at the service delivery level 7. practitioners. In 2011, 7 Parents’ Places were successfully piloted. In the past year, Parents’ Places Box 4: Relevant lessons from Colombia: Ruta Integral have been expanding and a new USAID parenting Summary: The Government of Colombia has recently project is supporting the establishment of 60 new developed the De Cero a Siempre, or “From Zero to Forever” Parents’ Places. Found in each parish, the ECC’s strategy to promote comprehensive ECD system across relevant sectors. A major component of the new strategy is Resource Centers that support practitioners in a the Ruta Integral de Atenciones, or the “Scheme for number of ways, including curriculum support, will also Comprehensive Services,” which is an established list of become Parents’ Places. Two of the 7 established specific ECD services that should be delivered to all young Parents’ Places are already in Resource Centers. children. This Ruta Integral provides an operational framework which spans from the prenatal period to 6 years ECD goals have been established in all sectors and the of age and includes interventions related to the health, new strategic plan should serve as a common plan of nutrition, socio-emotional development, cultural action. The current NSP outlines integrated ECD understanding, and protection of the child. The strategy emphasizes implementation at the local level. Each services that all Jamaican children should receive. municipality is expected to establish a municipal ECD Additionally, each sector has put forth its own specific committee that are responsible for coordinating ECD goals. For example, the Ministry of Labour and interventions at the level of service delivery to ensure that Social Security (MLSS) has designed a conditional cash children receive all essential services outlined in the Ruta transfer program called PATH (Program of Integral. Advancement through Health and Education). PATH Key considerations for Jamaica: (which has benefits for families living below the poverty 9 Because policy decisions and interventions in ECD span line and other vulnerable individuals) includes a specific across multiple ministries in Jamaica, it is important to have a common plan of action, not only at the policy level, but at the conditionality for children younger than 6 years old to service delivery and local level. access preventative healthcare. For the education sector, the MoE has outlined specific education goals, including quality ECIs and effective curriculum delivery. Policy Lever 1.3: In the health sector, the MoH disseminates Child Health Finance & Development Passports to all babies born in Jamaica While legal frameworks and intersectoral coordination or who move to the country before they are six months are crucial to establishing an enabling environment for old. Law mandates the use of all Passports by all health ECD, adequate financial investment is key to ensure that centers and well-child clinics. The Passport is an resources are available to implement policies and innovative tracking tool to track immunizations, growth, achieve service provision goals. Investments in ECD can and development, as well as provide anticipatory yield high public returns, but are often undersupplied guidance to parents. The passport is focused on health without government support. Investments during the interventions and outcomes, but also tracks several early years can yield greater returns than equivalent education and nutritional outcomes. While the Passport investments made later in a child’s life cycle and can serves as a valuable mechanism for collecting lead to long-lasting intergenerational benefits 8. Not information on holistic development for individual only do investments in ECD generate high and persistent children, there is currently no integrated service returns, they can also enhance the effectiveness of other delivery manual or common plan of action for all social investments and help governments address practitioners delivering services to young children. multiple priorities with single investments. The Child Health & Development Passport may serve as In some sectors, explicit criteria are used to decide ECD a useful foundation for developing a cross-sectoral spending. In the education sector, funding is based on manual with guidelines for integrated service provision. In considering the inclusion of a menu of integrated 7 For more information see: SABER-ECD Colombia Country Report. services in the new strategic plan, the ECC may learn 8 Valerio & Garcia, 2012; WHO, 2005; Hanushek & Kimko, 2000; Hanushek & Luque, 2003. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 8 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 specific criteria, including the number of children young children with developmental disabilities, see enrolled and historical precedent. The ECC requires that Policy Lever 2.2). The MLSS allocated $JA 18.2 billion in ECIs meet certain criteria in order to be registered and 2012-2013 for the Early Stimulation Project (excluding receive materials, nutrition grants, or stipends for salaries). However, the MLSS budget for PATH, which teachers. In the health sector, the vaccination budget is targets children 0-18 years, cannot be disaggregated by based on the number of targeted children and doses. specific age group. The Nutrition Unit within the MoH (and works with the MoE’s School Feeding Unit) also has a budget for meals There is no national law establishing a minimum level provided in ECIs according to the number of children. In of public funding for ECD services. Currently, financing the social protection sector, the MLSS uses children’s for ECD takes place with a relatively voluntary nature. characteristics to determine PATH funding. No official mechanisms exist to ensure sustainable investments of ECD in Jamaica. Jamaica could turn to The ECC monitors spending across sectors for activities OECD countries, such as Australia, which ensure related to the National Strategic Plan, but overall sustainable ECD financing with a more streamlined planning and reporting of ECD budgets across other system. Box 5 explains Australia’s system to ensure ministries could be better coordinated. The ECC sustainable financing for ECD. 9 monitors the amounts spent across sectors for activities Box 5: Relevant lessons from Australia: sustainable related to the National Strategic Plan, but all ECD financial investments in ECD spending is not coordinated with the other ministries. Summary: In 2008, through the Council of Australian Table 4 displays the ECC’s Table 4: ECC budget Governments, all state and territory governments in reported expenditures in allocations (2012-2013) Australia jointly agreed to the National Partnership education, health, and Education JA$2.4 billion Agreement on Early Childhood Education. Prior to the nutrition. Health JA$17.5 million National Partnership, Australia’s investment in ECD was only 0.1 percent of GDP, which ranked 30th out of the 32 OECD The ECC holds an annual Nutrition grants JA$ 32 million countries. To achieve quality, universal coverage, all levels of planning meeting with the government agreed to increased, sustained financial Ministries of Education, Health, Labour and Social investment, which was partially aided though additional Security, and Finance to share budgets related to NSP funding of $970 million (AUD) by the Commonwealth of activities for the upcoming year. However, no explicit Australia over a five-year period. The Australian strategy calls for streamlined mechanism for coordinating mechanisms exist to ensure that overall management and finance at all levels. It requires effective ECD budget planning is truly a coordinated effort. It accountability mechanisms, with clearly defined roles and would be beneficial to establish improved coordinating responsibilities at each respective level. The Best Start mechanisms and accurately report ECD-specific Program in the State of Victoria is an example of a budgets. For example, in the nutrition sector, the ECC comprehensive ECD program with sustainable financing manages JA$ 32 million of nutrition grants for ECIs. mechanisms. The program uses a decentralized approach and is co-financed by local governments and regional Additionally, the Nutrition Unit of the MoH has a budget stakeholders. The program’s multi-pronged funding for children’s growth and nutrition; and the MLSS has a approach is effective largely due to strategic mapping, budget for PATH Nutritional Support and Feeding grants constant monitoring, and extensive evaluation methods at (however, ECD-age specific expenditure data are not the local level. readily available for either). Similarly, in the health Key considerations for Jamaica: sector, while the ECC reports JA$17.5 million for the 9 Accountability measures for financing and allocating NSP ECD-specific health budget, which funding across sectors and between sectors and the includes implementation of the Child Health and national and provincial governments Development Passport, the MoH reports that it does 9 Improved availability of expenditure data and a unified not disaggregate its overall spending specific to ECD- information system to monitor the NSP across ECD indicators in order to track and sustain adequate financing. aged children. In the protection sector, the CDA does not disaggregate expenditures for child protection services specifically for ECD-aged children. Within the MLSS, ECD expenditures go towards two programs, PATH and the Early 9 For more information, see Australia’s National Partnership Stimulation Program (an early intervention program for Agreement on Early Childhood Education: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Earlychildhood/Policy_Agenda/ECUA/Pages/EarlyChildhoodEducationNatio nalPartnership.aspx. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 9 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 In the education sector, the level of ECD finance may salary of JA$445,856 to JA$504,445 per year by the GoJ. not be adequate. According to UNESCO, Jamaica In public Infant Schools and Departments, teachers are spends 1 percent of total government expenditures on paid using the same compensation scale as those in preprimary education 10. Table 5 compares Jamaica’s primary and other levels of the public school system on distribution of preprimary spending with other a scale agreed upon by the Jamaica Teachers’ countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that spend Association. a greater proportion of government expenditures Table 6: Regional comparison of select health towards preprimary. expenditure indicators, 2010 Table 5: Public expenditures on preprimary in selected Jamaica Barbados Brazil Chile Colombia Latin American and Caribbean countries Total health expenditure as a 5% 7% 9% 7% 7% Costa percentage of GDP Jamaica Brazil Chile Guyana Out of pocket expenditure 11 Rica Distribution of public as percentage of private 71% 81% 58% 69% 68% education expenditure on 9.0% 7.0% 12.0% 6.0% 11.0% health expenditure preprimary General government expenditure on health per USD USD USD USD USD Preprimary expenditure as 0.6% 0.4% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% capita (adjusted for 220 998 474 562 304 percentage of GDP purchasing power parity) Preprimary expenditure as Routine EPI vaccines financed Not percentage of total 1.0% 1.3% 2.1% 1.4% 1.5% by government 100% 100% 100% available 100% government expenditure Source: UNESCO Institute of Statistics, 2010. Source: WHO Global Health Expenditure Database, 2013; UNICEF, 2013. The GoJ pays 4,000 early childhood practitioners a The burden of finance for ECCE is not equitably salary subsidy determined by qualifications and distributed across various segments of society. While experience, which ranges from JA$177,600 to law guarantees free preprimary education for all, JA$307,743 per year. Approximately 2,400 of these approximately 10 percent of children currently have practitioners with vocational training at Level 2 and free preprimary education. In community ECCE centers above received salary subsidies in 2013; 12 the others (Basic Schools), which represent the large majority of being at Level 1 and below. Teachers in Basic Schools ECIs, parents are expected to pay school fees. In public should be paid on the same salary scale based on their ECCE centers (Infant Schools and Departments), which training qualification. However, many of them do not represent less than 5 percent of ECIs, no school fees are receive Government subsidies. More than 4,600 levied, but parents are expected to pay for uniforms teachers have vocational certification (3,635 from Basic and transportation. Schools). This means that many teachers that comply with minimum teaching qualifications (See Policy Lever In the health sector, the level of ECD finance allows for 3.2) are still not adequately compensated. In addition to free healthcare for young children and mothers. The government salary subsidies, teachers and practitioners MoH does not report ECD-specific expenditures. from Basic Schools rely on compensation from school However, all health services in the public sector, fees. Unfortunately, in Basic Schools, parents do not including antenatal check-ups, labor and delivery, always pay the fees, and therefore salaries are often immunizations, growth-monitoring and promotion, and inadequate. well child visits, are officially free. Table 6 compares selected health expenditure indicators in Jamaica with other countries in Latin American and the Caribbean. The GoJ does compensate community health aids and public ECCE providers; however for the majority of service providers who work in Basic Schools, remuneration is not adequate. Community health aids, 11 who visit homes and promote healthy caregiving and Out of pocket expenditure is any direct outlay by households, including gratuities and in-kind payments, to health practitioners help identify high-risk situations, are paid an annual and suppliers of pharmaceuticals, therapeutic appliances, and other goods and services whose primary intent is to contribute to the 10 According to the ECC Finance subcommittee, the total public restoration or enhancement of the health status of individuals or expenditure on ECCE as a percentage of government expenditures population groups. 12 was 0.43 percent. Source: World Bank Jamaica ECD Project Results Monitoring SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 10 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 Policy Options to Strengthen the Enabling could consider a higher level of ECD financing to ensure the needs of young children are met. Evidence suggests Environment for ECD in Jamaica a public investment of 1 percent of GDP is the minimum Legal framework: required to ensure provision of quality early childhood care and education services. 14 Jamaica could turn to ¾ Consider providing better protection for new countries like Australia, where sustainable financial parents to promote opportunities to care for investment mechanisms exist (Box 5). newborns and infants in their first year of life. The GoJ ¾ Improve budget coordination and accurate could improve its parental leave policies to expand the reporting of ECD-specific spending across ministries. guaranteed paid leave for mothers and/or add paternity OECD governments spend an average of 2.36 percent of protection. Sixty countries around the world mandate GDP on a broad range of services for young children and between 14 and 25 weeks of paid leave. The benefits of their families (including preprimary expenditures). 15 If paid parental leave policies extend beyond the the GoJ can report and coordinate all ministerial individual benefits for young children and their families. expenditures for ECD-specific interventions, it can Research shows that women are more likely to return better capture the entire picture of ECD financing. to the same employer when they have access to better Recent research on ECD financing suggests that family leave policies, which reduces the lost investment sustainability and administrative simplicity are two of for employers who might lose employees following the the key characteristics in ECD finance strategies16. A birth of a child. In addition, improved child health unified information system that tracks both outcomes and reduced healthcare costs for children expenditures and ECD indicators will be of utmost value benefit the government. 13 Jamaica could consider for the Government in tracking and sustaining ECD turning to high-performing countries like Sweden to investments across sectors. With improved availability improve its parental leave policies (See Box 2). of expenditure data and a unified information system to Intersectoral Coordination: monitor the implementation of all ECD activities in the country, the GoJ will be able to better track its ¾ Ensure that the new strategic plan includes a investments and identify areas where increased finance common plan of action for integrated service delivery. levels are necessary. The Child Health & Development Passport already outlines a comprehensive list of essential interventions ¾ Create mechanisms so that all ECCE providers have for young children, which is commendable. The new the opportunity to receive salary subsidies from the strategic plan could expand on this to ensure that ECD Government. While Jamaica has reached nearly interventions are not only tracked, but also that all universal coverage for preprimary, inadequate children have access to them. The upcoming national compensation for ECCE service providers is likely to strategy for ECD should continue to provide and expand have implications to the quality of services received. upon explicit mechanisms to promote sustained The existing qualification-based teacher pay scale is a coordination across health, education, and protection. good measure to incentivize ECCE providers to be An integrated service delivery manual within the adequately equipped with the skills and knowledge to strategic plan would be an important step for the GoJ to deliver quality care and education. However, this not only guarantee holistic ECD services on paper, but payment mechanism is still not reaching many teachers also establish mechanisms to ensure that children, who meet minimum qualifications. The GoJ should particularly the most disadvantaged, actually have consider a) requiring that ECIs adequately compensate access to these interventions. Box 4 provides an those that meet minimum requirements; and b) ensure example of Colombia’s integrated service delivery that those teachers that do not have adequate training manual, Ruta Integral. have the opportunity to attain affordable tertiary education training opportunities (See Policy Options in Finance: Policy Goal 3). ¾ Ensure the level of ECD finance is adequate to meet the needs of the population. Jamaica spends 0.6 14 This figure is supported by studies from the Consultative Group on percent of its GDP on preschool (UNESCO, 2010) and Early Childhood Care and Development (2008); the OECD’s Starting Strong II Report (2011). 15 OECD, 2006. 13 16 Heymann & McNeill, 2012. Garcia & Valerio, 2012. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 11 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 Policy Goal 2: Implementing Widely health needs of pregnant women, mothers, and young ¾ Policy Levers: Scope of Programs Ȉ children. A wide scope of health interventions are Coverage ȈEquity available, including parenting programs, antenatal visits, Implementing Widely refers to the scope of ECD programs available, skilled delivery, immunizations, and regular tracking of the extent of coverage (as a share of the eligible population) and the growth and development are available. In the education degree of equity within ECD service provision. By definition, a focus on sector, programs for parents and children 0-6 years old ECD involves (at a minimum) interventions in health, nutrition, are available. In child and social protection, anti- education, and social and child protection, and should target pregnant poverty, birth registration, and domestic abuse women, young children and their parents and caregivers. A robust ECD prevention programs are available for both parents and policy should include programs in all essential sectors; provide young children. Finally, in the nutrition area, comparable coverage and equitable access across regions and breastfeeding and school feeding programs exist, but no socioeconomic status – especially reaching the most disadvantaged structured food supplementation program for pregnant young children and their families. women or micronutrient support program for young children exist. It is commendable that the majority of the essential Policy Lever 2.1: interventions are listed within the Child Health & Scope of Programs Development Passport or the Maternal Record Book, a Effective ECD systems have programs established in all tracking tool for healthy risk-free pregnancies. These essential sectors and ensure that every child and expecting two documents serve as tools to ensure that pregnant mothers have guaranteed access to the essential services women, children, and caregivers access the wide scope and interventions they need to live healthfully. The scope of of essential ECD interventions in Jamaica. programs assesses the extent to which ECD programs across key sectors reach all beneficiaries. Figure 3 presents a On the following page, Table 7 displays the range of summary of the key interventions needed to support young programs across sectors available and provides the children and their families via different sectors at different available coverage data for each intervention. Policy stages in a child’s life. Lever 2.2 will review the extent to which the population Programs cover a wide range of beneficiary groups and has access to these interventions. are established across all relevant sectors to meet the holistic needs of children. As demonstrated in Figure 4 (on the following page), Jamaica has an excellent scope of programs available to address the Figure 3: Essential interventions during different periods of young children's development SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 12 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 Figure 4: Scope of ECD interventions in Jamaica by target population and sector Table 7: ECD programs and coverage in Jamaica Scale Number of ECD Intervention Pilot Regions Coverage programs Covered (if available) (out of 14) Education Non-state ECIs - 14 119,282 State ECIs (Infant schools, infant departments) - 14 12,893 Health Antenatal and newborn care 40,000-60,000 - 14 (100%) Integrated management of childhood illnesses and care for development - 14 200,000 Childhood wellness and growth monitoring: Child Health & Development Passport - 14 11,273 (100%) National immunization program - 14 80,000 (100%) Nutrition Micronutrient support for pregnant women (MoH) 40,000-60,000 - 14 (100%) Food supplements for pregnant women (done at local level- Food for the Poor) Yes - - Micronutrient support for young children: IDB-supported Sprinkles distribution Yes - - Food supplements for young children (done at local level- Food for the Poor) Yes - - Breastfeeding promotion programs Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative - 14 61,000 Anti-obesity programs encouraging healthy eating/exercise - - - Feeding programs in preprimary schools School Feeding/PATH Nutritional Support - 14 Not available Parenting Parenting integrated into health/community programs: Parents’ Places Yes 4 (expanding) Not available Home visiting programs to provide parenting messages - 14 Not available Special Needs Programs for OVCs Child Development Agency - 14 Not available Interventions for children with special needs Early Stimulation Program - 5 1,412 Programs for HIV/AIDS Prevention Elimination of MTCT of HIV/Syphilis - 14 600 Anti-poverty Cash transfers conditional on ECD services (PATH) - 14 400,000 Source: ECC ECI Database,2012; SABER-ECD Program and Policy Instruments. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 13 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 Policy Lever 2.2: Table 8: Regional comparison of access levels to essential Coverage health and nutrition interventions for pregnant women Jamaica Barbados Brazil Colombia Chile Trinidad A robust ECD policy should establish programs in all Skilled attendant essential sectors, ensure high degrees of coverage and 98% 100% 97% 98% 100% 98% at birth reach the entire population equitably–especially the Pregnant women most disadvantaged young children–so that every child receiving antenatal Not care (at least four 87% 100% 91% 89% available 96% and expecting mother have guaranteed access to visits) essential ECD services. Percentage of HIV+ pregnant 84% 96% 50% 49% 72% 82% women receiving Pregnant women have adequate access to prenatal ARVs for PMTCT healthcare, but it is unclear whether they have Prevalence of adequate access to essential nutrition interventions. anemia in 14% 23% 29% 31% 28% 30% pregnant women Table 8 displays selected indicators for heath Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2010; UNAIDS, 2012; WHO Global interventions for pregnant women in Jamaica and other Database on Anemia, 2006; MoH, 2013 (prevalence of anemia in Latin American and Caribbean countries. UNICEF pregnant women). country statistics reveal that pregnant women in Jamaica have nearly universal access to prenatal care Young children in Jamaica may not receive adequate and skilled deliveries. An estimated 32,000 people are care when they are sick. Table 9 displays UNICEF living with HIV (1.7 percent of the adult population) and country statistics 19 of selected indicators for access to the GoJ is continuing to intervene with pregnant essential health interventions for young children. The women and newborns to prevent mother-to-child Child Health & Development Passport serves as an transmission (MTCT). In 2011, the GoJ provided anti- effective tool to encourage routine health check-ups. retrovirals (ARVs) to 87 percent of pregnant women Coverage for growth monitoring and immunization is who were HIV positive (an increase of more than ten- nearly universal. However, when a child is sick, they percentage points since 2005). Additionally, 97 percent may not always be accessing adequate medical of newborns receive ARVs. 17 Since 2000, the attention. As displayed in Table 9, according to UNICEF, transmission rate for HIV has reduced from 25 percent in Jamaica when children younger than five years old to less than 5 percent. have an acute respiratory infection, only approximately half of them are treated with antibiotics. The MoH While data show excellent access to health reports that all children with diarrhea are treated with interventions for pregnant women, the level of oral rehydration salts. coverage of essential nutrition interventions for pregnant women is not as well monitored. The latest Table 9: Regional comparison of access levels to essential data available for prevalence of anemia in pregnant health interventions for ECD-aged children women was in 2006, when 41 percent of pregnant Jamaica Barbados Brazil Colombia Chile Trinidad women had anemia, a level rated severe by the WHO. 1-year-old children immunized against As demonstrated in Table 8, this level of prevalence also DPT (corresponding 99% 91% 96% 85% 94% 90% exceeds the levels of other countries in the region. The vaccines: DPT3ß) MoH reports that 60 percent of anemic pregnant Children below 5 with suspected Not Not Not Not women are adequately treated and has agreed with 52% 34% pneumonia available available available available regional health authorities to achieve a target of 100 receive antibiotics percent coverage by 2013. The MoH also reports that Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2007-2012. 82 percent of anemic pregnant women receive iron and folic acid and has agreed on a target of 95 percent The level of access to essential nutrition interventions coverage by 2013 18. The MoH is encouraged to continue for young children is inadequate. Table 10 presents a working with regional health authorities to meet these regional comparison of selected nutrition indicators for targets. young children. While stunting prevalence in Jamaica is quite low, young children may not be receiving the adequate nutrients for proper development. Only 40 17 UNAIDS Country Progress Report for Jamaica, 2012. 18 19 MoH, 2012. Service Level Agreement Indicators. UNICEF, State of the World’s Children, 2013. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 14 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 percent of infants are exclusively breastfed at 3 most recently reported gross preprimary enrollment months 20. The WHO reported that in 2006 (last year ratios for selected Latin American and Caribbean with available data), 48 percent of preschool aged countries (UNESCO). In 2010, the gross enrollment ratio children were anemic. The coverage level for Vitamin A in Jamaica was 112 percent. This rate is high by supplementation is not available. In its service level international standards. It will be worth considering the agreement with regional health authorities, the MoH next step of ensuring universal coverage of quality did not report the current percentage of pregnant preprimary education. women receiving breastfeeding education or the percentage of caregivers receiving education on Figure 5: Gross enrollment rate (age 3-6) in selected appropriate infant and young child feeding practices. Latin American and Caribbean countries However, the MoH has set a target of 80 percent coverage for both of these nutrition promotion interventions. The MoH and UNICEF partnered to implement an exclusive breastfeeding pilot project in two parishes (Clarendon and St. Catherine) and successfully increased the rates of exclusive breastfeeding. The MoH is encouraged to expand this program at the national level. Table 10: Regional comparison of access levels to essential nutrition interventions for ECD-aged children Jamaica Barbados Brazil Colombia Chile Trinidad Children below 5 Not Not Not with moderate or 4% 7% 13% available available available severe stunting While children 3 years and older have adequate access Infants exclusively to ECCE, only 12 percent of children younger than 3 See Not Not breastfed until 6 footnote 19 available 41% 43% 13% available have access to early childhood care. months of age Infants with low 12% 12% 8% 6% 6% 19% birth weight Children younger than 3 years generally have fewer Prevalence of stimulating resources at home. In addition to having anemia in preschool aged 48% 17% 54% 28% 24% 30% less opportunity to access center-based care, children children (2006) younger than three years old have fewer stimulating Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2007- 2011; WHO Global Database resources at home. on Anemia, 2006; MoH, 2013. Figure 7 illustrates data from the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (2010) (JSLC) regarding the percentage There is nearly universal birth registration in Jamaica. of children in different age cohorts with stimulating 98% of births are registered in Jamaica. Table 11 resources at home. More children aged 3 to 5 years old displays the birth registration rate across the region, have stimulating resources at home (with the exception which is nearly universal. of musical instruments) than children aged 0 to 2 years. Additionally, significantly more 3- to 5-year-olds Table 11: Regional comparison of birth registration rate engaged in stimulating activities with their caregivers Jamaica Barbados Brazil Colombia Chile Trinidad than 0- to 2-year-olds (See Figure 8). Birth registration Not 98% 93% 97% 100% 96% 2000-2010 available Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2007- 2011 Figure 6 compares the level of coverage for children younger than 3 with that for children age 3-5 21. The The gross preprimary enrollment rate for children age majority of Jamaica’s youngest children are not 3-6 years old is over 100 percent. Figure 5 displays the accessing center-based ECCE interventions. Table 13 displays enrolment by age group for state and non-state 20 21 According to the MoH, 40 percent of children are exclusively The Statistical Institute of Jamaica reported that in 2012, there breastfed at 3 months and 96 percent of mothers report early were 119,695 children younger than 3 and 127,070 ages 3-5 years initiation of breastfeeding. Updated data not available on exclusive old. The ECC reported that in 2012, 13,661 children younger than 3 breastfeeding <6 months. attended ECCE, and 115,265children 3-5 years old attended ECCE. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 15 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 ECIs. Children younger than 3 years old are concentrated in non-state ECIs. For private ECIs (other Figure 7: Stimulating resources at home for 0-2 and 3-5 than community schools), 25 percent of the children age group, 2010 enrolled are younger than 3 (8 percent in community schools and less than 2 percent in public schools). Children younger than 3 years generally have fewer stimulating resources at home. In addition to having less opportunity to access center-based care, children younger than three years old have fewer stimulating resources at home. Figure 7 illustrates data from the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (2010) (JSLC) regarding the percentage of children in different age cohorts with stimulating resources at home. More children aged 3 to 5 years old have stimulating resources at home (with the exception of musical instruments) than children aged 0 to 2 years. Additionally, significantly more 3- to 5-year-olds engaged in stimulating activities with their caregivers Policy Lever 2.3: than 0- to 2-year-olds (See Figure 8). Equity Based on the robust evidence of the positive effects ECD Figure 6: Levels of coverage for children 0-2 versus 3-5 interventions can have for children from disadvantaged in Jamaica (2012) backgrounds, every government should pay special attention to equitable provision of ECD services 23. One of the fundamental goals of any ECD policy should be to provide equitable opportunities to all young children and their families. There is equitable access to ECCE for 3-5 year olds by gender and socio-economic status. Girls and boys have equitable access to preprimary school, with marginally more males than females enrolled. According to the ECC, in 2012, 59,093 boys and 57,552 girls in the 3-5 age group were attending ECIs. There are no major differences in enrollment rates by wealth quintile: both Table 12: ECI Enrolment by age group and facility the poorest and richest quintile have 100 percent Children enrolment, with all five quintiles more than 98 percent Children less Children 3-5 Total than 3 years years old older than 5 enrolment (JSLC, 2010). years State ECIs Infant schools & 190 12,083 620 12,893 ECCE services accommodate children’s special needs departments and promote access for all children. An estimated 4 Community ECIs percent of children in Jamaica live with a disability 24. As Basic Schools/ 7,286 85,526 2,021 94,833 Pre-schools discussed in Policy Lever 1.1, Early Childhood Act (2005) All other private promotes inclusive education for children with 6,185 17,656 608 24,449 ECIs 22 disabilities. The ECC reports that 60 children were Source: ECC ECI Database, 2012. enrolled in special education in 2012. Additionally, the MLSS’s Early Stimulation Program provides services for young children with developmental disabilities and their 23 Engle et al, 2011; Naudeau et al., 2011. 22 24 Includes preschool, kindergarten, preparatory school, nursery, 2009 UNICEF estimate in Comprehensive Assessment of Existing daycare, special education. Service Delivery Options within the EC Sector. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 16 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 families. Child Development Officers currently receive adults than children from the richest quintiles (JSLC, in-service training in childhood disabilities, intervention 2010). Figure 8 also displays, as discussed under Policy and rehabilitation, and early childhood development. Lever 2.2, children younger than three years old are less Officers visit homes and public and private ECIs. As of likely to be engaged in activities with adults than 2013, there were 1,412 direct beneficiaries of the children aged 3 to 5 years old. program. The ECC has recently developed and approved Figure 8: Adults engaged in stimulating activities, by a child development screening tool and countrywide age and wealth quintile identification process for at-risk households in Jamaica. In addition, children are now screened for developmental delays in the Child Health & Development Passport and subsequently referred for intervention, some receive intervention within the MLSS Early Intervention Program. The GoJ’s comprehensive ECD policy, currently under development, will include strategies for screening, diagnosis and early intervention for at-risk children and households. As part of the National Strategic Plan for ECD, the University of the West Indies has developed an Policy Options to Implement ECD Widely in Associate Degree in Child Development Therapy, with Jamaica courses in child health, development and behavior, as Coverage well as basic speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ¾ Improve coverage to essential nutrition early intervention. Many officers from the MLSS Early interventions for pregnant women. The MoH is Stimulation Program are enrolled in this degree encouraged to meet its targets to reduce anemia program. This will ensure a higher level of service prevalence in pregnant women. Iron-folate provision to children with disabilities. In addition, supplements during pregnancy can prevent anemia for UNICEF is supporting the development of a curriculum the mother and neural tube defects for the fetus. with practitioner certification for children with special Reducing anemia prevalence in pregnant women can needs. UNICEF is also working with the MoE to develop prevent intellectual and physical impairment in a curriculum for children with moderate to severe children. disabilities for specialized preprimary and primary institutions. ¾ Expand coverage to essential health and nutrition In rural and urban areas, there is equitable access to interventions for young children. The WHO reports that services and learning opportunities for young children. in 2006, nearly half of preschool aged children had iron Access to improved sanitation facilities is relatively deficiency anemia, which can significantly impede a equitable: in urban areas, the rate of access is 82% and young child’s development. Less than half of mothers in rural areas, it is 84%. Skilled deliveries are also are exclusively breastfeeding their babies. Exclusive equitably available by geographic area: in urban areas, breastfeeding until 6 months can reduce infant the rate of skilled attendants at birth is 99 percent and mortality and promote healthy development. The MoH in rural areas, the rate is 98 percent. should continue to encourage local health authorities to meet the target of improved nutrition education According to the JSLC (2010), children in Kingston interventions. It will also be important to seek out Metropolitan Area (KMA), other urban areas, and rural updated data on anemia in pregnant women and areas all have equitable opportunities for the majority preschool aged children to determine whether women of stimulating activities for children, including stories, and young children have adequate access to foods songs, games, counting, and drawing. enriched with iron. Poor children do not have the same opportunities to The GoJ should consider how to expand access to care early learning as children from the richest quintile. As for diarrhea and pneumonia, two of the leading causes illustrated in Figure 8, children from the poorest quintile are proportionately less engaged in activities with SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 17 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 of death in children younger than five. 25 The Child Lack of appropriate early experiences places children at Health & Development Passport should serve as a a disadvantage before they even start school. Targeting useful tool and could be possibly expanded to home visits or parenting support interventions towards encourage caregivers to take children to seek the poorest families could be useful to ensure that the healthcare when their children show signs of illness. most vulnerable children have equitable opportunities. ¾ Consider providing additional opportunities for Policy Goal 3: Monitoring and Assuring early childhood care for children younger than 3 years. Roughly 9 out of 10 children less than 3 are not Quality attending center-based ECCE programs. Evidence ¾ Policy Levers: Data Availability ȈQuality suggests that the strongest cognitive benefits for Standards Ȉ Compliance with Standards center-based ECD programs are experienced by younger Monitoring and Assuring Quality refers to the existence children (ranging from 9 months to <3 years). 26 Even if of information systems to monitor access to ECD the youngest cohort of children are not going to center- services and outcomes across children, standards for based ECCE, the GoJ should consider strategies, ECD services and systems to monitor and enforce including expanding parenting support programs as compliance with those standards. Ensuring the quality indicated in the National Parenting Policy and Strategy, of ECD interventions is vital because evidence has shown home visiting programs 27 or play groups, to ensure that that unless programs are of high quality, the impact on children younger than three years old have adequate children can be negligible, or even detrimental. opportunities for early stimulation. The JSLC revealed that compared to 3- to 5-year-olds, children in the birth Policy Lever 3.1: to 2 year cohort tend to have fewer stimulating Data Availability resources at home and their caregivers engage with Accurate, comprehensive and timely data collection can them less. The first 1,000 days is an essential period for promote more effective policy-making. Well-developed child development and quality interaction and information systems can improve decision-making. In stimulation is essential to ensure cognitive and social- particular, data can inform policy choices regarding the emotional development. 28 volume and allocation of public financing, staff Internationally recognized research from Jamaica has recruitment and training, program quality, adherence to revealed that home visits and better parenting standards and efforts to target children most in need. programs are both feasible and have the potential to Jamaica has advanced availability of relevant impact the development of the youngest age cohort. administrative and survey data. Table 13 displays Jamaica should be commended for both the Jamaica’s availability of common ECD indicators. The surrounding research and expansion of these relevant ministries in Jamaica collect excellent interventions. However, it will be important to place administrative data on important indicators related to increased emphasis on continuing to scale up these access to ECD services. UNICEF MICS data also programs for parents and their children from 0 to 2 contributes to the rich data available regarding years of age. Jamaica’s young children and mothers. Equity Table 13: Availability of data to monitor ECD in Jamaica ¾ Ensure equitable early learning opportunities for Administrative Data: the poorest children starting from birth. While poor 3- Indicator Tracked to 5-year-old children have equitable access to ECCE enrollment by region 9 preprimary education, poor children younger than 3 do Children enrolled in ECCE by sub-national region (#) 9 not have the same learning opportunities (see Figure 8). Children enrolled in ECCE by socioeconomic status (%) 9 Special needs children enrolled in ECCE (#) 9 25 Children attending well-child visits (#) 29 9 In 2011, out of 1,000 children born in Jamaica, 18 died before their fifth birthday (UNICEF). Children benefitting from public nutrition interventions (#) 9 26 Loeb et al, 2007; Armecin et al, 2006; NICHD, 2003. Women receiving prenatal nutrition interventions (#) 9 27 Several home visit program already exist in Jamaica, such as the Rural Family Support Organization’s Rovers program and the 29 visitation program by Community Health Aides The MoH plans to collect this for 2012-2013 (Service level 28 Black, et al, 2008. agreement indicator). SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 18 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 Average per student-to-teacher ratio in public ECCE 9 specify legally-binding minimum levels for ECD service Is ECCE spending differentiated within education budget? 9 delivery. According to these documents, ECIs that do 30 Is ECD spending differentiated within health budget? X not meet the minimum standards of health and safety Survey Data are not provided with a Permit to Operate, an interim Indicator Tracked status towards full registration. The Standards for Population consuming iodized salt (%) 9 Operation, Management, and Administration of ECIs Vitamin A Supplementation rate for children 6 -59 mo. (%) X include clear indication of standards that are Anemia prevalence amongst pregnant women (%) 9 recommended minimum level of quality and those that Anemia prevalence amongst preschool-aged children (%) 9 are legally binding. The standards include guidelines for Children below the age of 5 registered at birth (%) 9 staffing; developmental/education programs; Children immunized against DPT3 at age 12 months (%) 9 interactions and relationships with children; physical Pregnant women who attend four antenatal visits (%) 9 environment; indoor and outdoor equipment, furnishing and supplies; health; nutrition; safety; child The Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions provides an rights, child protection and equality; interactions with excellent picture of the status of young children in parents and community members; administration, and Jamaica. The JSLC, a joint publication of the Planning finance. Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) monitor social indicators, including an Box 6: Legal framework for ECI standards 32 ¾ The Early Childhood Act (2005): Requires operators entire section on ECD. The ECD section was developed, of ECIs to apply for registration with the ECC and to implemented and analyzed by the ECC to monitor ECD facilitate the process of inspection. Significant legal and to guide interventions. Indicators include: consequences exist for failure to comply with the Act. parenting, activities engaged in with children by an adult, stimulating resources at home, disciplinary ¾ The Early Childhood Regulations (2005): Provides practices, and safe environment. Specific child provisions to the Early Childhood Act, including development outcome indicators are also collected to procedures and requirements which may evolve over capture the developmental competencies and readiness time. Legal consequences (less severe than the Act) exist skills, including both socio-emotional and cognitive for failure to comply with the Regulations. development, for Jamaican children age 4 and 5 years ¾ Standards for the Operation, Management, and old. The 2010 JSLC examined an ECD age cohort sample Administration of ECIs (2007): Includes (i) legally-binding of 860 children. In 2014, the survey will collect data on standards (stemming from the Act or Regulations) and (ii) every child at the age of 4 years old. standards to serve to improve practice voluntarily. Policy Lever 3.2: Both legal and voluntary standards are rated on a 3 point Quality Standards scale: “Needs Improvement” which indicates a status below that required, “Acceptable” which indicates status Ensuring quality ECD service provision is essential. A at the required level and “Good” which indicates status focus on access – without a commensurate focus on above the required level. ensuring quality – jeopardizes the very benefits that policymakers hope children will gain through ECD Clear learning standards are established for ECCE in interventions. The quality of ECD programs is directly Jamaica. The national Early Childhood Curriculum, related to better cognitive and social development in endorsed by the MoE in 2008, provides specific children 31. guidance for ECCE providers for caregiving and teaching The ECC has established a legal framework that sets in ECIs. The curriculum is evidence-based and aligns forth clear standards for all public and private ECIs. with the Learning Outcomes for ECD in the Caribbean. 33 Box 6 outlines the three documents that comprise the Relevant stakeholders from the primary education ECC’s framework for ECCE service delivery standards. sector were involved in design of the curriculum, The Early Childhood Act and Early Childhood Regulations 32 While the Act and Regulations are technically legally-binding, the GoJ has not yet acted upon the consequences in order to allow time 30 The MoH did not provide in the SABER-ECD Policy Instrument. for adjustment to the new standards. 31 33 Taylor & Bennett, 2008; Bryce et al, 2003; Naudeau et al, 2011V; Child Focus II Project, (2005). Caribbean Child Development Victoria et al, 2003. Centre, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 19 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 ensuring coherence and continuum of the curriculum JBTE program of the University of the West Indies also into primary education. The curriculum includes a scope provides ongoing professional development for current and sequence for both children aged 0-3 years and teachers. children 4-5 years old and is comprised of skills development in the cognitive, affective, creative, and Established service delivery and infrastructure psychomotor domains. An associated curriculum guide standards for ECIs exist. The Standards outline for ECCE teachers allows for planning, preparation, and acceptable guidelines for teacher-to- child ratios for all implementation of daily activities in ECIs. While public and private centers: 1:5 for children 0-12 endorsed by the Government, the use of the national months; 1:8 for children 1-3 years; 1:10 for children 3-6 curriculum is not mandated; the Standards state that years. The Act defines a daycare center as one that ECIs may use any curriculum approved by the ECC. operates at least six hours per day four days a week, but the definition of a basic school does not include opening ECCE professionals are required to meet pre-service hours. The Regulations and Standards provide specific training standards. The Early Childhood Act mandates guidelines to ensure that ECIs have adequate by law that ECI operators must be trained by an infrastructure and play areas for young children. ECIs institution that is approved by the ECC. The Regulations are required to have functional hygienic facilities, and Standards expand upon this, stating that in ECIs potable water source, roof, floor, structural soundness, that provide care for children above 3 years, at least windows, building materials, and connection to one teacher (Lead Teacher) must be “qualified.” electricity. “Qualified” teachers are required to have, at minimum, a tertiary diploma issued by a recognized teacher Established registration procedures for both state and training college. Minimum standards exist for other non-state ECIs exist. The Act states that all ECIs must teachers (who work with Lead Teachers) in ECIs: at least register with the ECC to operate and are to be inspected 50 percent should be trained and certified with a Level to determine compliance with minimum acceptable III vocational degree (Associate Teachers) and at least standards. The ECC inspects each registered ECI to 50 percent must be trained and certified with a Level II determine whether it complies with the Act and vocational degree. Regulations. 34 The Regulations state that ECIs should be inspected twice per year. However, in reality, this is not The Jamaica Teaching Council, operating under the manageable due to resource constraints and high MoE, is responsible for professional teaching standards enrollment rates. The ECC plans to revise the legislation and certification. The Joint Board of Teacher Education to call for inspections annually or every two years. As of (JBTE), which operates within the School of Education of 2013, there were 29 inspectors and 4 senior inspectors the University of the West Indies has a Bachelor’s trained at the ECC. degree in Education program offered by the Teachers Colleges of Jamaica. The University of the West Indies The ECC acknowledges that some institutions may delivers this program and also supervises the quality of exceed minimum requirements and promotes the delivery of the JBTE Degree by several other teacher highest standards of practice. It not only monitors the training colleges which deliver the program on a minimum requirements (outlined in the Act and franchise basis. Education degrees require students to Regulations) but also monitors the standards that are complete a pre-service practicum which consists of a not legally binding (the Standards document classifies variety of aspects, including school visits and a 3-month performance as “needs improvement,” “acceptable,” or student teaching program. “good”). Professional development opportunities for ECCE Rigorous standards for ECD service delivery in the providers are available. The Standards recommend that health sector ensure quality healthcare. An ECCE providers attend in-service training to improve accreditation system for well child clinics has been service delivery. The ECC provides training once a developed and approved conjointly by the MoH and month for public and private ECIs, focusing on child ECC. The system will cover specific guidelines that well development, curriculum, and other areas of ECCE child and child health clinics should meet, including service delivery. The ECC tracks whether providers complete training, but it is not mandated by law. The 34 Legislation allows the ECC to conduct unannounced inspections, but in practice, inspections tend to be announced. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 20 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 infrastructure and equipment, data management, level place). Additionally, 64 percent of ECIs comply with of training of health staff, health promotion, and safety. wall/ceiling standards: 1,449 receive an “acceptable” In addition, several standards are specifically targeted rating (walls and ceilings are clean, painted with light towards ECD-aged beneficiaries to ensure processes for colors, good condition) and 5 receive a “good” rating access and effective delivery of services for children 0-3 (acceptable plus regular scheduled painting). years old. ECCE professionals from public ECIs report higher All community health aides receive training in ECD and compliance with pre-service training standards how to deliver messages about development compared to those from non-state ECIs. Table 14 milestones. Additionally, in the Child Health & displays the reported teacher qualifications for state Development Passport, the schedule of child health and non-state ECIs. Based on guidelines for a Lead check-ups includes important messages for health Teacher, only 27 percent of all teachers comply. workers to deliver regarding child development, Conversely, 73 percent of teachers do not meet the milestones, and safety in the home. The MoH has minimum training standard, holding either a primary recently finalized a flip chart to deliver certain messages secondary, or vocational degree or not reported. about breastfeeding, safety, hygiene, and immunizations that will be used by primary healthcare Table 14 also reveals that compliance is higher in the providers in health centers and communities. minority of state ECIs (Infant Schools and Infant Departments), 77 percent of all teachers holding a Policy Lever 3.3: tertiary degree (28 percent with bachelor’s degree, 46 Compliance with Standards percent with education diploma, and 3 percent with master’s degree). On the other hand, in Basic Schools, Establishing standards is essential to providing quality only 24 percent of teachers hold a tertiary degree and ECD services and to promoting the healthy development 64 percent hold a vocational degree. of children. Once standards have been established, it is critical that mechanisms are put in place to ensure Table 14: ECCE teachers' highest level of education compliance with standards. obtained in state and non-state ECIs Quality assurance measures are progressing in Not Primary Secondary Vocational Tertiary 36 Total reported Teachers Jamaica, but improvements are still needed. As of 2013, 48 percent of ECIs have submitted a complete State ECIs application for registration to the ECC. The ECC reports Infant schools 2.8% 9.8% 1.7% 9.2% 76.5% 541 & departments that 92 percent of ECIs have received at least one Non-state ECIs complete inspection (57 percent in the last year). As of Community 2013, 52 percent of ECIs have been issued a permit to ECIs 1.3% 7.1% 3.7% 64.3% 23.6% 5,653 operate. Basic Schools/ Pre-schools The ECC quality assurance system is transparent and All other 37 6.5% 18.7% 4.6% 46.3% 24.0% 2,028 private ECIs reveals that not all ECIs comply with quality standards. Inspection reports for ECIs are accessible to the public 35 TOTAL 2.7% 10.1% 3.8% 56.2% 27.2% 8,222 and provide detailed information on each ECI’s 38 compliance with the 12 standards (outlined in the 73% No compliance/unknown for Lead Teacher 27% meet standard Standards document, see Policy Lever 3.2). There is still for Lead Teacher not 100 percent compliance with all standards. For Source: ECC ECI database, 2013. example, of the 2,261 ECIs in Jamaica (state and non- state), the ECC reports that 78 percent comply with 36 floor standards: 1727 receive an “acceptable” rating Tertiary includes Bachelor's degree, education diploma, and (flooring is solid throughout, with no cracks or holes) Master's degree. 37 and 37 receive a “good” rating (acceptable plus flooring Preschool, kindergarten, preparatory school, nursery, daycare, special education. surface allows children to move easily from place to 38 Based on guidelines for Assistant/Associate Teachers (dictating a minimum of vocational degree), 83 percent of teachers comply. 35 As of 2013, 1,750 inspection reports were posted on the ECC’s However, there are currently very few, if any, ECIs with two teachers website: http://www.ecc.gov.jm/ecc/ECIReports/index.php?dir= in one room. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 21 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 State ECIs do not comply with child-to-teacher ratios. With universal enrollment in preprimary, there is a need Table 15 displays average child-to-teacher ratios, as to serve the large preschool population with qualified reported by the ECC. 39 The average state ECI has one ECCE teachers. Increasing the number of ECCE teachers teacher for every 18 children, which does not meet could contribute to reducing overcrowding in ECIs. compliance for the Standards guideline of a 1:10 ratio Additionally, ECCE teachers will also be needed to cater for children 3-6 years old 40 (the majority of children to children in the 0-3 age group, who are currently enrolled in state ECIs are in this age group- see Table underserved. 12). Community schools also exceed the maximum child-to-teacher ratio guideline. The average ratio for all ¾ Continue to inspect ECIs on a regular basis and work other private ECIs meets with the standard for children to improve outcomes based on results of standards. 3-6 years old, but not for younger children (one-fourth While progress has been made in recent years with ECI of children enrolled in all other private ECIs are younger inspections, approximately half of ECIs still do not have than 3- see Table 12). a permit to operate. It is advisable to increase the capacity of the ECC to regularly monitor standards Table 15: Average teacher-to-child ratios in ECIs compliance. Furthermore, the ECC should target ECIs Average teacher-to-child ratio that need to improve outcomes. This could include an State ECIs 1:18 increase capacity of development officers and/or Infant schools & departments targeted in-service training for ECIs that do not comply Community ECIs 1:16 with quality standards. Basic Schools/ Pre-schools All other private ECIs 1:9 (see footnote 37) Comparing Official Policies with Outcomes Source: ECC ECI database, 2013. The existence of laws and policies alone do not always guarantee a correlation with desired ECD outcomes. In Policy Options to Monitor and Assure ECD many countries, policies on paper and the reality of Quality in Jamaica access and service delivery on the ground are not aligned. Table 16 compares ECD policies in Jamaica with Quality Standards & Compliance with Standards ECD outcomes. Some policies reflect the reality for ¾ Improve compliance with teacher qualification some ECD interventions, such as availability of guidelines for current ECCE practitioners by preprimary school, immunizations, and birth incentivizing tertiary education. Currently 73 percent registration. On the other hand, the low rate of (5,988) of teachers do not have a tertiary degree. The exclusive breastfeeding and access to free preprimary options available to teachers for tertiary level degrees education do not seem to align with the respective in early childhood is a commendable achievement in policies. Jamaica and should be made more accessible to current Table 16: Comparing ECD policies with outcomes in Jamaica ECCE teachers who do not yet meet teaching ECD Policies Outcomes qualifications. Since affordability is often a barrier to Draft National Infant and Young tertiary degrees, the GoJ may consider strategies to Exclusive breastfeeding Child Feeding Policy complies incentivize untrained practitioners to pursue tertiary rate (3 months): with the International Code of education. This could include better student loan 40% Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes arrangements, encouraging more organizations to Gross preprimary provide scholarships, or work study programs. Policy guarantees the provision school enrollment: of preprimary school 112 % ¾ Encourage new students to enter the ECCE teacher 3-6 year olds with free workforce. It would be valuable to make the pre-service GoJ mandates the provision of preprimary access: opportunities and tertiary level programs available to free preprimary school 10% new students interested in becoming ECCE teachers. Young children are required to Children with DPT (12- receive a complete course of 23 months): 39 These are only average ratios and do not reflect the reality of childhood immunizations 99 % overcrowding, an issue in many ECIs. Completeness of birth 40 State funded ECIs do not meet ratios as they are more heavily Policy mandates the registration of children at birth in Jamaica registration: subscribed by parents due to the absence of fees. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 22 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 98% ECD classification system does not rank countries according to any overall scoring; rather, it is intended to share information on how different ECD systems address the same policy challenges. Table 18 presents the status of ECD policy development in Jamaica Preliminary Benchmarking and International alongside a selection of OECD countries and regional Comparison of ECD in Jamaica comparators. Sweden is home to one of the world’s On the following page, Table 17 presents the most comprehensive and developed ECD policies and classification of ECD policy in Jamaica within each of the achieves a benchmarking of “Advanced” in all nine nine policy levers and three policy goals. The SABER- policy levers. Table 17: Benchmarking Early Childhood Development Policy in Jamaica Level of ECD Policy Goal Level of Development Policy Lever Development Legal Framework Establishing an Enabling Inter-sectoral Coordination Environment Established Finance Scope of Programs Implementing Widely Coverage Established Equity Data Availability Monitoring and Assuring Quality Standards Quality Established Compliance with Standards Latent Emerging Established Advanced Legend: Table 18: International Classification and Comparison of ECD Systems Level of Development ECD Policy Goal Policy Lever Jamaica Australia Chile Colombia Sweden Turkey Legal Framework Establishing an Enabling Coordination Environment Finance Scope of Programs Implementing Coverage Widely Equity Data Availability Monitoring and Quality Standards Assuring Quality Compliance with Standards Latent Emerging Established Advanced Legend: SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 23 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 Conclusion The SABER-ECD initiative is designed to enable ECD levers are examined in detail and some policy options policy makers and development partners to identify are identified to strengthen ECD are offered. opportunities for further development of effective ECD systems. This Country Report presents a framework to Table 19 summarizes the key policy options identified to compare Jamaica’s ECD system with other countries in inform policy dialogue and improve the provision of the region and internationally. Each of the nine policy essential ECD services in Jamaica. Table 19: Summary of policy options to improve ECD in Jamaica Policy Policy Options and Recommendations Dimension ¾ Consider providing better protection for new parents to promote opportunities to care for newborns and infants in their first year of life. ¾ Ensure that the new strategic plan includes a common plan of action for integrated Establishing an service delivery. Enabling ¾ Ensure the level of ECD finance is adequate to meet the needs of the population. Environment ¾ Improve budget coordination and accurate reporting of ECD-specific spending across ministries. ¾ Create mechanisms so that all ECCE providers have the opportunity to receive salary subsidies from the Government. ¾ Improve coverage to essential nutrition interventions for pregnant women. ¾ Expand coverage to essential health and nutrition interventions for young children. Implementing ¾ Consider providing additional opportunities for early childhood care for children Widely younger than 3 years. ¾ Ensure equitable early learning opportunities for the poorest children starting from birth. ¾ Improve compliance with teacher qualification guidelines for current ECCE practitioners by incentivizing tertiary education. Monitoring and ¾ Encourage new students to enter the ECCE teacher workforce. Assuring Quality ¾ Continue to inspect ECIs on a regular basis and work to improve outcomes based on results of standards. Acknowledgements was prepared in consultation with the World Bank Human Development Latin American and Caribbean This Country Report was prepared by the SABER-ECD team and the Government of Jamaica. For technical team at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, questions or comments about this report, please DC. The report presents country data collected using contact the SABER-ECD team the SABER-ECD policy and program data collection (helpdeskecd@worldbank.org). instruments and data from external sources. The report SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 1 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 Acronyms ARV Anti-retroviral CDA Child Development Agency ECC Early Childhood Commission ECCE Early childhood care and education ECD Early Childhood Development ECI Early Childhood Institution GoJ Government of Jamaica ILO International Labor Organization JBTE Joint Board of Teacher Education JECA Jamaica Early Childhood Association JSLC Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions KMA Kingston Metropolitan Area MLSS Ministry of Labour and Social Security MoE Ministry of Education MoF Ministry of Finance MoH Ministry of Health MoJ Ministry of Justice MTCT Mother to child transmission NPSC National Parenting Support Commission NSP National Strategic Plan NIYCF National Infant and Young Child Feeding (policy) OVC Orphans and Vulnerable Children PATH Program of Advancement through Health and Education WHO World Health Organization SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 24 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). 2006. 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SABER, World Bank, Washington DC Naudeau, S, N. Kataoka, A. Valerio, M. J. Neuman, L. K. Elder. 2011. Investing in Young Children: An Early Childhood Development Guide for Policy Dialogue and Project Preparation. World Bank, Washington, DC. NICHD. 2003. “Does Amount of Time Spent in Child Care Predict Socioemotional Adjustment during the Transition to Kindergarten?” Child Development 74 (4): 976–1005. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 25 JAMAICA ۣ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2013 www.worldbank.org/education/saber The Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) initiative produces comparative data and knowledge on education policies and institutions, with the aim of helping countries systematically strengthen their education systems. SABER evaluates the quality of education policies against evidence-based global standards, using new diagnostic tools and detailed policy data. The SABER country reports give all parties with a stake in educational results—from administrators, teachers, and parents to policymakers and business people—an accessible, objective snapshot showing how well the policies of their country's education system are oriented toward ensuring that all children and youth learn. This report focuses specifically on policies in the area of Early Childhood Development. This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. THE WORLD BANK SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 26