Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 2nd 2016 (BNTF): Twenty-five Early Childhood Development (ECD) caregivers received Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) certification in Training of Nursery Caregivers Friday 14th October 2016 in a closing ceremony held at the Red Cross Conference Room.
The Training of Caregivers (TOC), funded by the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) as part of the Education and Human Resource Development Portfolio, engaged women currently employed in ECD centres throughout the rural and urban communities of St. Kitts and Nevis in an intense nine-week course that commenced on August 9th 2016. Facilitated by former ECD Coordinator Mrs. Vanta Walters, trainees covered three modules; Stages of Child Development, Safety and Well Being of Children and Delivering Quality Customer Service.
Trainee Ms. Taisha Thompson delivered remarks on behalf of the participants. She expounded on the material learnt which gave attendees of the ceremony insight into the knowledge gained. Thompson was keen to note, “We were given the opportunity to put out fires by using two different types of extinguishers. So if by chance there is a fire in your neighborhood, you can call us the ‘Firefighters of the TOC Training Class’.” The Fire and Rescue Services of the Federation delivered extensive safety training in this regard.
Totaling an investment of US $110,895, funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of St. Kitts-Nevis (GOVSKN), the TVET certified Training of Caregivers was the second component of a four-part sub-project dubbed Early Childhood Capacity Building sub project by the BNTF in its seventh Cycle. Ms. Azilla Clarke, acting Project Manager for BNTF stated that the trainees are among the first to receive the National Vocational Certificate and emphasized its value likening it to any Caribbean Examinations Council certificate. Ms. Clarke also added words of advice to the trainees.
“The expectation from us is that you will conduct what is called ‘personal assessments’ because we know you will leave here quite motivated but you work in a system that will not change the instant you return to school. So measure your expectation, determine what small things you can do tomorrow, then with the leadership skills you acquired earlier, be a part of the planning for your school year 2017- 2018.”
Acting ECD Director Mrs. June Wallace who stressed the importance of the trainees’ roles in creating “rich, stimulating environments” thanked BNTF and TVET Council for the investment in ECD, and noted trainees will now be able to offer high quality childhood programs as a result.
In an emotional and moving address, Facilitator Walters further underscored the importance of early childhood caregivers stating, “A dentist’s mistake is pulled, a doctor’s mistake is buried but a teacher’s mistake lives on. We all have an awesome responsibility of having children in our care at the most vulnerable period in their lives’ journey and we just can’t afford to mess up.”
The Early Childhood Capacity Building sub project also saw training of ECD Administrators and Assistants in Leadership Principles, the Procurement of Learning Resource Material for ECD centres and will close with Orientation Training for new preschool teachers.
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