Basseterre: St. Kitts, Tuesday, June 17, 2025: With tiny steps and giant strides, the Early Childhood Development Unit (ECDU) joined the children of Nevis as they paraded through the streets of Charlestown with pride as they celebrated the 40th anniversary of Child Month on Friday, 13 June.
Members of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) extended congratulatory remarks and shared insights into educational development in Nevis.
“I am very impressed with all the people who came to support the children, the teachers, parents, and care givers. They are the ones who will carry this island and country forward, so we are delighted to be here on the road in Charlestown supporting them. In Nevis, we are focusing on education from the cradle to the grave. We take care of our educational needs, advancing our people through education, through continuous learning and setting the right foundation – for our preschool and early learners we figure that is absolutely critical,” exclaimed Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis.
“We [NIA] are making sure that our early childhood learners are well taken care of and not only that they are taken care of, but we are also showing them that we appreciate them. Looking at everyone who is out marching with them, the parents, the teachers, and well wishers I know that our children are feeling very appreciated. It is all about making sure they have that safe environment,” stated Hon. Troy Liburd, Junior Minister of Education in the Nevis Island Administration.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education (NIA), Ms. Zahnela Claxton relayed, “The 40th year of Child Month is being celebrated under the theme From Tiny Steps to Giant Strides. Celebrating 40 Years with Pride. And we are indeed proud of all the progress that has been made over the last 40 years. We look forward to enjoying the children during this month and remembering why we are in the business that we are in. We are in the business of nurturing, the business of caring and the business of ensuring that our children move from small steps to giant strides.”
Hon. Jahnel Nisbett, Minister of Health Gender Affairs and Social Empowerment expressed, “Today we are highlighting early childhood and the value of building from the foundation up. From within my Ministry, we are supporting this endeavor tremendously through the Department of Gender Affairs. Many of our children that we support through our Daycare Voucher Assistance Program are on the road. We are happy to support accessibility for everyone across the island as we know different socio-economic status can be a barrier, hence we are happy to provide that support and hope to see Child Month celebrations go for many years to come.”
The Child Month celebration continues until Monday, June 30th.
