Sugar Ray Thomas
The access to early childhood education is an important stage in a child’s life. Ebenezer Smart People Early Childhood Institution aims to provide the students of Days Mountain, St Mary with the opportunity to learn in a safe, supportive and caring Christian environment. The institution is operated under the motto ‘Moving forward by faith to success.’
Located in Days Mountain in Oracabessa, Ebenezer Smart People Early Childhood Institution was created out of a need for an early childhood school in the area. The school was founded by Coretta Minzie, who is the principal and a teacher at the institution. The school opened its doors in September of 2012. It is located on the property of the Ebenezer Community Church in Days Mountain.
“I have a passion for children and I saw the need to establish a school in the area, because a lot of children could not go to school, while others had to travel as far as Oracabessa,” explained the principal, Coretta Minzie.
In addition to the principal, there are two members of staff; Annmarie Green, Class 1 teacher and Kerryann Simms, the cook. Ms Minzie and Ms Green are highly qualified with Level II certification in Early Childhood Education.
The principal explained that the school is a registered institution with the Early Childhood commission. In addition to students being exposed to literacy and numeracy skills, they are also benefitting in training in speech and drama. There is also a desire to have the students learn computer skills. “Our computer broke down and is out of function. We are trying to source one so that our students can be computer literate,” explained Ms Minzie, to The Times.
The community members and parents of Days Mountains have been very supportive of the various programmes at Ebenezer Smart People Early Childhood Institution. Ms Minzie noted that they are always supportive of the school’s sports day and career day activities.
Ebenezer Smart People Early Childhood Institution is a developing early childhood facility that offers a supportive and fun experience, vital at such a crucial stage of a child’s development.
