Guyana launches national policy to boost early childhood development

With the aim of improving care, development and learning outcomes for children aged zero to three, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, through its Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), in collaboration with UNICEF and the Government of Canada, has launched Guyana’s first National Integrated Early Childhood Development (NIECD) Policy and accompanying guidelines.

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, speaking on Monday during the launching at the Herdmanston Lodge said that, the policy was born from months of dedicated work and consultations, ensuring that it is comprehensive, progressive and all-encompassing.
According to her, “This policy places children at its centre. Early childhood development is extremely significant in the lives of children,” she stated, adding that it allows children “to assess their developmental milestones and provides a vantage point to evaluate their emotional stability and overall well-being.”
She highlighted that from a very early stage, children who require additional care or intervention can be identified—often with the help of not just their parents, but also experts—to ensure they enjoy a better quality of life.
While the policy itself is vital, the Minister emphasised the importance of a clear framework to ensure its goals are effectively realised. To this end, the Ministry has established a series of targeted objectives for the policy.
According to Persaud, “The targets involve pregnant and breastfeeding women who understand what early childhood development is—to promote healthy births and children. We want every child aged zero to three years to experience good health, adequate nutrition, safety, security, responsive caregiving, and opportunities for early learning.” To help achieve these goals, the CPA has already trained a number of Early Childhood Development (ECD) Practitioners and supported the transformation of day-care centres into centres of excellence through the provision of grants.

Childhood facilities
So far, the Ministry has registered 400 early childhood facilities and officially licensed 365 of them.
Importantly, the NIECD policy aligns with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, reinforcing Guyana’s commitment to advancing the rights and development of all children. Further, Persaud highlighted the significance of national collaboration in developing programmes and policies aimed at improving the lives of Guyana’s children.
“What is important in all of this is our national collaboration—our stakeholders and our partnerships that were pivotal to the success of the implementation of the policy and its guidelines. We must ensure that there is always a robust partnership among the Ministries of Health, Education, Local Government and Human Services,” she underscored. Meanwhile, Canada has been a source of support since 2021 in to create safer and nurturing environments for young children in Guyana through its $3 million partnership with UNICEF Guyana & Suriname.
The NIECD policy outlines a coordinated and inclusive strategy for delivering high-quality early childhood services that promote the health, well-being and development of young children. It aims to foster lifelong learning and ensure every child is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.