The Minister of Education & Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin said the Early Childhood Care Commission Bill, 2026, represents a significant advancement for early childhood care and education in The Bahamas.
“The early years of a child’s life represent the most critical period for learning. Research studies indicate that 80–90 percent of brain development occurs before the age of five,” the Education Minister said during the Reading of Bills and Initiatives in the House of Assembly on Monday, March 23, 2026.
“High-quality early childhood education therefore plays a vital role in supporting this key developmental stage.”
She explained that when children have access to structured, nurturing, and stimulating early learning environments, they experience significant benefits.
“These include improved literacy and numeracy skills, better social behaviour, and greater readiness for formal schools. Further, children who participate in quality early childhood programs are more likely to achieve long-term academic success.
“From an economic perspective, investments made during the early years yield the highest return in the entire education system as early learning reduces later costs associated with remediation and other interventions.”
The Minister said despite the significance of early childhood development, several challenges impede the progress of early childhood services in The Bahamas.
She said primarily, the absence of a centralized authority dedicated exclusively to early childhood development presents a notable issue.
“The lack of a unified oversight body results in considerable disparities in the quality of daycare centres and pre-schools in the country. Furthermore, caregivers and educators may possess varying levels of training and qualifications, which can adversely affect the standard of care and instruction provided to children under five.
“Additionally, there are limitations in the monitoring and regulation of early learning facilities, and a deficiency in comprehensive national data impedes the assessment of early childhood outcomes and the formulation of informed policy decisions.”
The Education Minister said establishing an early childhood commission will effectively address many of these challenges.
“The commission will serve as the national governing body responsible for overseeing early childhood development from birth to age five.
“Its responsibilities would include setting clear national standards for early childhood care and education, and coordinating services among key government agencies, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, social services, and community organizations.”
She noted that the early childhood care commission will offer substantial advantages for children throughout The Bahamas. Through efficient oversight and coordination, children will be provided with access to secure, nurturing, and developmentally suitable learning environments.
The Minister said early screening initiatives will facilitate the early identification of developmental delays or learning challenges, enabling children to receive prompt support and intervention.
“Most notably, young learners will establish strong foundations in language development, social and emotional skills, as well as early literacy and numeracy — competencies essential for success in educational and social settings.
She added that parents and families will benefit significantly from a more structured and regulated early childhood system.
“Establishing clear national standards will enable parents to have increased confidence in the quality of daycare and preschool services available for their children. Parent education programs could deliver valuable information regarding child development and early learning, thereby assisting families in supporting their children’s growth at home.”
The Minister added that an enhanced childhood system will offer essential support to working families who rely on dependable early childhood services. Additionally, the broader education system is likely to benefit from positive outcomes.
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