UNICEF Commends Guyana’s Commitment to Early Childhood Development
- first ECD Conference for Caregivers a success
GEORGETOWN, Guyana – July 1, 2025 – UNICEF has proudly joined the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in opening Guyana’s inaugural Early Childhood Development (ECD) Conference, a landmark event focused on improving the lives of the nation’s youngest children through strengthened care, education, and protection systems.
Held under the theme of holistic, multi-sectoral support for children under the age of four, the one-day conference gathered key stakeholders from across the country, including childcare supervisors, caregivers, child protection experts, and educators to collaborate on advancing quality early childhood services.
Ms. Fiona Persaud, Education Specialist at UNICEF Guyana and Suriname during remarks emphasized the critical importance of the early years in a child’s life, from birth to age eight as a period of rapid brain development and heightened sensitivity to the environment, relationships, and care.
“We are here today because we believe in the power and potential of every child. Early childhood development is not just a developmental priority, it is a child rights imperative,” she said.
Ms. Persaud highlighted the continued partnership with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, supported generously by the Government of Canada, as a key driver of the national ECD agenda. This multilateral collaboration has laid the foundation for several vital initiatives aimed at improving childcare services across Guyana.
“This conference represents our shared vision for a future where every child in Guyana receives the nurturing care, early education, and protection they deserve,” said Honourable Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security. “Together with UNICEF and the Government of Canada, we are working to close gaps in service delivery and ensure that quality ECD is accessible to all, especially our most vulnerable children,” she added.
The MHSSS Minister further, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the provision of ECD services through policy and training initiatives, and informed that over 1,000 ECD practitioners nationwide have been trained. “Out of more than 360 daycares in Guyana, 350 are now licensed and registered,” she said.
As part of this partnership, UNICEF is supporting the finalization of a Multi‑Sectoral ECD Policy, accompanying national guidelines, and a comprehensive implementation plan set to be launched in the coming weeks. In addition, the development of new manuals for parents and caregivers, capacity‑building programmes for licensing officers and childcare providers, and the distribution of play‑based learning materials to childcare centres are all underway.
“Thanks to the sustained support of the Government of Canada, we are advancing ECD as a national priority, not just in policy, but in practice,” noted the UNICEF Education Specialist.
Several breakout and plenary sessions at the conference addressed critical topics such as parenting, child protection, nutrition, play‑based learning, early screening for special education needs in young children and fire prevention in childcare environments. These sessions reflect the deep need for integrated, cross‑sectoral approaches that address the full spectrum of a child’s needs during the most formative years of life.
UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Guyana’s efforts in ensuring every child has access to nurturing care, protection, and early learning, regardless of their background or circumstance.
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UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org.
