Leslie Young, fondly called ‘Auntie Leslie’, is encouraging persons operating as well as teaching pre-schools to pursue the necessary training in the field of Early Childhood Education.{{more}}

“Once you are trained, you are taught the best practices in the field. You have an idea of something, whether feeding the child properly, teaching the child. They would be in a better position to blend the theoretical and practical together,” said Young.

Young, the proprietor of the Calliaqua Pre-school, made this call, having celebrated her 30th anniversary as an Early Childhood Educator. She marked the milestone anniversary on Saturday, March 5.

She said while pre-schools across the country are grateful for the monthly subvention of $400 provided by the Government, there are pre-schools that are in need of greater financial assistance than what is provided.

She also called for all pre-schools to be placed under the umbrella of a single curriculum guide. Young said this will go a long way in streamlining the pre-school programmes throughout the state.

Amidst the “hiccups” that she has experienced over the years, Young said looking back, she has no regrets being an Early Childhood Educator.

One of the challenges she sometimes faces relates to some parents failing to pay their children’s school fee. Young said although this is the case, she understands that they are struggling single parents.

“I normally give them a chance, but if they go too much like three months, I’ll have to tell them that it’s too much and they’ll have to keep the child at home. But I do not like to do it,” said Young.

“I’m not in the business for money; I’m in it for the love of it. I love it, I love children,” said Young.

Young said initially she took care of children at her home and the first child she cared for was the son of trade unionist Joseph ‘Burns’ Bonadie.

Following this, Young was invited by Rebecca Cato of Calliaqua to teach at Cato’s pre-school.

She told SEARCHLIGHT she experienced “headache” almost every day. It took a while for her to be adjusted to the profession.

Friends encouraged Young to pursue training in the field and she took their advice and was able to do so at the former University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies.

Following her training, she continued her role as a teacher, then was promoted to supervisor, before heading her own organization.