Early Childhood Care and Educati

Early Childhood Care and Education Authority

In 1984, the Pre-School Trust Fund (PSTF) was set up with the responsibility for promoting and providing pre-school education and services in the Republic of Mauritius. Its functions encompassed, among others, the registration of preschools, supervision of educational activities and teacher education. With the emerging challenges on the international scene, the need to establish a new framework that would reposition the pre-primary sub-sector and secure a strong foundation for the young child was strongly felt. The Early Childhood Care and Education Authority (ECCEA) which replaced the PSTF in 2008, aimed at bringing a more efficient inter-sectoral service delivery that would contribute to strengthen the foundation of ECCE programmes in Mauritius, thereby preparing for the emergence of a ‘Centre of Excellence’ that would serve the region, especially countries already engaged in promoting ECCE as part of the Education for All (EFA) Goals.

Vision

To cater for children of pre-school aged 3 to 5 years old, to give them all means required for a sustainable education.

Mission

To provide equal access for all children to quality pre-schooling, including those at risk of delayed development and disabilities, through a child-centered and play-based approach, with the involvement of the parents.

Functions

The Authority shall –

• implement policies of Government with regard to early childhood care and education in the Republic of Mauritius.

• implement projects, programmes and activities on early childhood care and education initiated by the Ministry in collaboration with line Ministries, non-governmental organizations or local and international agencies.

• set norms and standards for play equipment, play materials, play space, furniture, books and children’s literature used by educational institutions.

• carry out the registration and supervision of educational institutions, their managers, educators and other staff engaged in early childhood care and education.

• advise on the development of training programmes on early childhood care and education for educators and other staff in educational institutions.

• administer payment of any form of grants to registered educational institutions and manage grants in collaboration with the relevant Ministries.

• take such action as may be appropriate, in collaboration with relevant line Ministries and authorities, to prevent any form of violence, including sexual abuse, negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, on young children.