For the 2024–2025 academic year, the government provided a one-time subsidy of Eastern Caribbean Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars (EC$2,500.00) to all registered privately operated Early Childhood Education centres(commonly referred to as pre-schools) across the island. This support was intended to help with the day-to-day operations of these vital institutions.

In his recent 2025–2026 Budget Address, the Honourable Prime Minister pledged to increase this subsidy by an additional EC$500.00, raising the total to EC$3,000.00 for the upcoming academic year.

The NAECP commends this initiative and encourages all centres to use the funds to enhance and develop their environments, ensuring a high-quality learning experience for young children across Saint Lucia.

Additionally, the Government made a one-time contribution of EC$50.00 per student towards school fees for all children attending registered privately operated Early Childhood Development Centres. This financial support was disbursed via cheques to each centre based on their September 2024 enrolment figures, specifically to help offset school fees for that term.

The Prime Minister has also announced a further increase of EC$50.00 per child in the next cycle of this support, to be applied in September 2025.

Speaking on behalf of the association, I, Mauricia Francis, Public Relations Officer of the NAECP, state:

“We wholeheartedly thank the Government of Saint Lucia for these thoughtful and impactful measures. This support recognizes the vital role that early childhood education plays in national development and strengthens our shared vision of nurturing the nation’s youngest citizens.”

The NAECP looks forward to continued collaboration with the Government and other stakeholders to advance quality early childhood education throughout the country.