CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
INTRODUCTION 1
Philosophy and Standard Setting 2
1. REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF ECCE CENTRES 3
1.1 All ECCE Centres must be registered by ECCE providers 3
1.2 Variances 4
2. STAFFING 4
2.1 Personal Suitability of Registered Providers, Educators/Caregivers and other Staff Members 4
2.2 Levels of Staffing 5
2.3 Qualifications of Staff 7
2.4 Personnel Practice 8
2.5 Written Policies and Procedures 9
3. QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES 10
3.1 Equal Opportunities 10
3.2 Children with Special Needs 10
3.3 Discipline 11
3.4 Child Protection 11
3.5 Confidentiality 11
3.6 Partnership with parents/educators/caregivers 12
3.7 Supervision 13
3.8 Physical Care of Children 13
3.9 Meals and Snacks 13
3.10 Field Trips 14
4. QUALITY STANDARDS FOR CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO THREE YEARS OLD 15
4.1 Infant and Toddler Care 15
4.2 Interaction 16
4.3 Organisation 16
4.4 Physical Resources 17
4.5 Learning Opportunities for the Under 3’s 18
4.6 Observation, Record Keeping and Planning 19
4.7 Rest Periods 19
4.8 Transition 19
5. QUALITY STANDARDS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTS FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN THREE AND FIVE YEARS OLD 20
5.1 The Curriculum 20
5.1.1 Personal, Social and Emotional Development 20
5.1.2 Life Skills 20
5.1.3 Language and Literacy 21
5.1.4 Mathematical Concepts 22
5.1.5 Knowledge and Understanding of the World 22
5.1.6 Physical Development 23
5.1.7 Creative Development 24
5.1.8 Spiritual/Moral/Development 24
5.2 Planning a Balanced Curriculum 24
5.2.1 Guidelines for assessing children’s attainment and progress 25
5.3 Expectations for progress and attainment 26
5.4 Guidelines to promote children’s learning 26
5.5 Guidelines for effective Home/ECCE communication 27
5.6 Monitoring the Quality of the Programme 27
6. RECORD KEEPING 28
6.1 Children’s Records 28
6.2 Staff Records 29
6.3 Guidelines for Accident/incident record keeping 29
6.4 Miscellaneous Records 30
6.5 Access to Records 30
6.6 Insurance 30
6.7 Complaints and Suggestions 30
6.8 Financial Records 31
6.9 Programme Development Records 31
7. HEALTH AND SAFETY 31
7.1 Health and Safety Policy 31
7.2 Emergency Protocol 32
7.3 First Aid 32
7.4 Hygiene Practices 33
7.5 Medicines and Illness 33
7.6 Fire Precautions 34
7.7 Safety Precautions 34
7.8 Substance Abuse 35
7.9 Pet Hygiene 35
8. THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 35
8.1 Premises 35
8.2 Space Guidelines 37
8.3 Ventilation and Lighting 37
8.4 Bathroom Facilities 37
8.5 Kitchen Facilities 38
8.6 Laundry Facilities 39
8.7 Water, Utilities and Maintenance Guidelines 39
APPENDICES 40
A. APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRE 40
B. REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION PROTOCOL 43
C. PROTOCOL FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS TO APPLY FOR A VARIANCE TO THE LICENCING AND INSPECTION STANDARDS 45
D. APPLICATION FOR A VARIANCE FROM STANDARDS 46
E. PROPOSED CAREER PATH FOR ALL EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES STAFF 48
F. GUIDELINES FOR REGISTRATION AND THE ISSUE OF FOOD BADGES
IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 49
G. CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER’S GUIDANCE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES 54
H. EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES – FIRST AID PROTOCOL 55
I. CHILD PROTECTION – A GUIDE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICE PROVIDERS 56
J. SPECIFICATIONS ON FURNITURE 59
K. GENERAL POLICY FOR CERTIFICATION OF PRIVATE CENTRES IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 60
GLOSSARY 62