The access to early childhood education is an important event or process in a child’s life.
New Vision Early Childhood Institution aims to provide the students of Mount Edgecombe in Runaway Bay and other surrounding areas with the opportunity to learn in a safe, supportive and caring Christian environment. The institution is operated under the motto ‘Committed to Serve.’
The school, which is certified by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), was started in September of 2008 by principal, Claudette Brown.
Mrs Brown says that she had a vision and out of that she started the institution. She had initially worked at another school, but after having gone to sleep one night, she got the vision to start the school.
Mrs Brown acquired the land on which the school is located from the Ministry of Works through Veronica Archer, the present corresponding sponsor of the school.
Through the help of several persons and institutions, including Daisy Chin, former member of parliament Othniel Lawrence, Salem Baptist Church and Mr Beech, her dream of launching her own early childhood institution became reality.
Today, the population of New Vision Early Childhood Institution stands at 110 students between the ages of two and six years. However, Mrs Brown pointed out that the population is expected to increase as the school term continues.
The highest population of students at the school in any one school year has been 164.
The students, who attend the school, come from within Mount Edgecombe, Salem, Hampstead, Scarlett Hall and other areas.
There are nine members of staff, including principal, Mrs Brown, who is also the teacher of the five-year-old class.
The rest of the staff include: Sashae Brown, assistant caregiver; Jessica Cox, two-year-old class teacher; Lornet Ferguson and Trisle Chambers, three-year-old class teachers; Lanagay Brown-Baker, four-year-old class teacher and Alicia Bailey, five-year-old class teacher; cook, Alga Bailey-Rowe and ancillary worker, Pee Brown.
All the teachers at the school are HEART NTA certified. Mrs Brown is the holder of a diploma and in November, she will receive a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the International University of the Caribbean (IUC).
The board chairman of the school is Candiece Clarke-Rowe.
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
According to Mrs Brown, several activities are offered at the early childhood institution. “At the school we offer music, drama, Spanish, literacy and numeracy,” she stated.
A feature of the institution’s calendar is Career Day, which is staged annually in May.
“The students are given a feel of what they want to be when they grow up,” Mrs Brown said, while adding that plans are in place for clubs to be established at the school in the near future.
The school also has excursions for its students annually in May, where they visit places as far away as Kingston.
During the school term as well, the five-year-olds visit the airports, the four-year-olds visit the farm for their educational trips. Students also have an opportunity to visit the birthplace of Marcus Garvey, the fire station and the St Ann’s Bay Library.
A breakfast programme has also been implemented at New Vision Early Childhood Institution.
According to Mrs Brown, several of the past students at the school have excelled and are enrolled at some of the top schools in St Ann, including York Castle, St Hilda’s, Brown’s Town, Ocho Rios and Ferncourt high schools.
For Mrs Brown, she expressed that she has continued throughout the years, simply because she wants to help children. “I want to help the children. Education is the only vehicle out of poverty,” she stressed.
Mrs Brown took the time out to express her gratitude to Miss Francis, who gave her breakfast and dinner, while she was working late at nights. She also expressed her thanks to persons who supported her from the inception of the school. These include, Marlene Raymond, Alga Bailey-Rowe, the Davis family and other community members. She also thanks her husband, Wesley Audley Brown, for his continued support.
If you are a parent looking for a solid early childhood foundation for your children, then New Vision Early Childhood Institution maybe what you are looking for.
