A dynamic two-day exploration of early childhood education in the Caribbean with educators, policymakers and researchers.
Venue
University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters
Featured Speakers and Panellists
Dr. Tracey-Ann Morgan Smith
Senior Director of Regulation and Monitoring, ECC
Dr. Rebecca Tortello
Education Specialist, UNICEF, Early Screening Pathway
Prof. Zoyah Kinkead-Clark
Professor, Early Childhood Care and Education, UWI, Mona
Dr. Emre Ozaltin
Program Leader for the Human Development Practice Group, World Bank
Dr. Ricardo Anderson
Lead, Technology and Innovation, OneonOne
Dr. Tiou Clarke
Lecturer, School of Business and Administration, UTech
Dr. Dawn DiPeri
Interdisciplinary Global Design Leader & Faculty Trainer, UNICEF
Dr. Pauline Watson-Campbell
Executive Director, McCam Child Development Centre
Dr. Rebecca Tortello
Education Specialist, UNICEF, Early Screening Pathway
Mrs. Lurleen Gamboa
Education Officer, Ministry of Education Culture Science and Technology, Belize
Mrs. Venice Irving
CEO, Happy Teachers Jamaica
Dr. Elizabeth Jaeger Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Social Sciences, University of the US Virgin Islands
Ms. Nadera Ross
Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, Belize
Dr. Winsome Gordon
Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica Teaching Council
Ms Embler Spencer
Director of the Early Childhood Programmes, Sports and the Creative Industries,
Antigua & Barbuda
Ms. Nadine Molloy
Principal, Shortwood Teachers’ College
Moderators
Najae Murray
Chevening JN Oliver F. Clarke Scholar
Benita Aiken
Early Childhood Educator
Olivia Wilmot
Early Childhood Educator
Shalene Kinkead-Cope
Lecturer, Literacy
Ava Marie Reid
Curriculum Development Office
Panel Discussions
Towards Effective Early Childhood Education Policies for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)
Focuses on aligning regional policy frameworks and strengthening partnerships to achieve equitable and high-quality ECE outcomes across the Caribbean and Latin America.
Opportunity or Distraction: Technology and Early Childhood Education
Examines how technology can both enhance and hinder early learning, and explores strategies for meaningful, balanced integration in early childhood classrooms.
Diversity in Practice: Addressing the Unique Abilities and Cultural Differences in Early Childhood Education Delivery
Discusses inclusive and culturally responsive teaching methods that celebrate diversity and support every child’s potential.
Early Childhood Curriculum Development and Delivery
Explores innovative approaches to curriculum design and implementation that promote holistic development and lifelong learning readiness.
Fit for Purpose? Reimagining Teacher Training to Build a Resilient Caribbean
Investigates how teacher education can bridge the gap between competence and certification while emphasising cultural relevance, retention, equity, and inclusion.
Participants’ Experience
This Colloquium offered a unique opportunity to connect with leading voices shaping early childhood education across the Caribbean. Attendees gained insights into evidence-based practices, innovative policy frameworks, and research that can transform early learning outcomes. The event also celebrated the enduring legacy of Dudley Grant and provided a platform for educators and stakeholders to collaborate toward a shared vision of excellence in ECE.
Outcomes
- Identification of shared regional priorities and challenges in ECE.
- Development of actionable policy and practice recommendations.
- Establishment of collaborative task forces to drive reform and advocacy.
- Strengthened partnerships for standardised, equitable ECE systems.
- Heightened awareness and long-term support for ECE as a cornerstone of Caribbean development.
About Dudley Grant
Dudley Ransford Brandyce Grant, OD (1915–1988), affectionately known as Jamaica’s Father of Early Childhood Education, conceptualised and led the Project for Early Childhood Education from 1966 to 1987. His groundbreaking work reshaped Jamaica’s early childhood landscape and continues to influence global early childhood education policy and practice today. Source: The National Library of Jamaica
The JN Foundation, in collaboration with the UWI School of Education and the Dudley Grant Early Childhood Resource Centre, will spotlight the enduring legacy of Dudley Grant while exploring the pivotal role of early childhood education (ECE) in shaping regional development. This two-day phygital event, scheduled for November 27–28, 2025, at the UWI Regional Headquarters, will convene regional experts, educators, policymakers, researchers, and advocates for high-level discussions, keynotes, and breakout sessions on policy, practice, and partnerships across the Caribbean.
Articles
Growth & Jobs | JN Foundation, UWI to host regional conference on early childhood education, sustainable development
The JN Foundation with The University of the West Indies (UWI) School of Education and the Dudley Grant Early Childhood Resource Centre will host a two-day regional conference…
JN Foundation, UWI to host regional early childhood education conference this month
The JN Foundation, in collaboration with UWI’s School of Education, will host a two-day regional conference on November 27-28 at the regional headquarters of the University of the West Indies in St Andrew.
Regional Colloquium On Early Childhood Education To Be Held November 27 To 28
The first Regional Colloquium on Early Childhood Education will be held next week from November 27-28 at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters, in Kingston.
Regional confab to address early childhood education concerns
The event is being staged by Jamaica National (JN) Foundation in collaboration with the Early Childhood Commission, The UWI School of Education, and Dudley Grant Early Childhood Resource Centre
JN Foundation to repair basic school in hurricane-ravaged Catherine Hall
THE Jamaica National (JN) Foundation will be aiding in urgently needed repairs to the DRB Grant Demonstration Basic School in Catherine Hall, St James.
Caregivers warned to be ‘paranoid’ after Hurricane Melissa as children are under threat
WITH thousands of children left to the elements, and increased threat from predators due to their homes and other safe spaces being wrecked by Hurricane Melissa, professor at The University of the West Indies…
Education Ministry Commits to Emergency Preparedness Framework for Early-Childhood Institutions
The Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information has committed to working with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and other partners to craft emergency preparedness…
Takeover talks Gov’t willing to operate early childhood education institutions
Jarrett urges stronger support for children as Jamaica rebuilds after Hurricane Melissa
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chief executive officer (CEO) and deputy chair of The Jamaica National Group, Earl Jarrett stressed that the positive return on investment in early childhood education is undeniable…
#AfterMelissa: JN Group CEO urges greater support for children as Jamaica rebuilds
Earl Jarrett, CEO and deputy chair of the Jamaica National Group, has stressed the need to safeguard Jamaica’s youngest citizens in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which severely damaged several communities, especially in western parishes.
Let the children play
UWI professor urges Jamaicans to prioritise playtime for kids post-Hurricane Melissa
KINGSTON, Jamaica–In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, emeritus professor of child health, child development and behaviour at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Maureen Samms-Vaughan, has underscored…
Gallery
Day One
Early-Childhood-Colloquium-min
Professor the Hon Elsa Leo-Rhynie (left), former chair of the Dudley Grant Memorial Trust, has the captive attention of (from left) Professor Zoyah Kinkead-Clark, Early Childhood Care and Education, the University of the West Indies; Alma Jean Panton, early childhood teacher; and Maisie Wint, administrative manager, Dudley Grant Memorial Trust. The occasion was the Early Childhood Education Colloquium held at The University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters, Mona recently.
