Teach and care for children from birth to age eight in basic schools, infant schools, day care centres and preparatory schools. Early childhood educators lay the foundation for literacy, numeracy and social skills.
Salary Breakdown
Pre-trained Teacher scale $1,370,094 - $1,753,837 per annum (Ministry of Finance teachers' scale). Practitioners in community basic schools are often paid by the operator rather than on this scale.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
Based on the midpoint of the Entry salary range ($1,561,966 JMD), after NIS, NHT, Education Tax, and PAYE.
Show deduction breakdown
- Gross (annual)
- $1,561,966 JMD
- NIS (3%)
- −$46,858 JMD
- NHT (2%)
- −$31,239 JMD
- Education Tax
- −$34,089 JMD
- PAYE Income Tax
- −$0 JMD
- Net (annual)
- $1,449,777 JMD
Estimate only — illustrative rates and thresholds, not tax advice. Confirm current figures with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Career Path Roadmap
- 1
Complete CSEC Subjects
English A and Mathematics are essential; Human and Social Biology and Social Studies help.
Secondary school - 2
Get Entry Training
Complete HEART/NSTA Trust Early Childhood Development (Level 2) to begin working with children.
6 months - 1 year - 3
Earn a Teaching Qualification
Complete a diploma or BEd in Early Childhood Education at a teachers' college or university.
3 - 4 years - 4
Register & Teach
Meet the Early Childhood Commission standards for your institution and register with the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC), whose licensing regime is being phased in under the JTC Act.
Ongoing - 5
Lead a School
Move into principal or early childhood development officer roles.
5+ years
Required Education
- CSEC English A and Mathematics
- Early Childhood Development certificate (entry)
- Diploma or BEd in Early Childhood Education
Common Local Certifications
- HEART/NSTA - NVQ Level 2 Early Childhood Development (Teacher Assistance) and NVQ Level 3 (Associate Teacher)
- Early Childhood Commission requirements
- Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) registration - being phased in under the JTC Act; teachers get 24 months from promulgation to apply for a licence
- First Aid & CPR
Where to Train
Church Teachers' College
Offers Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
Joint Board of Teacher Education
Offers Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
University of the West Indies, Mona
A recommended place to train as a Early Childhood Educator
The Mico University College
A recommended place to train as a Early Childhood Educator
Local Institutions Offering Programs
- Shortwood Teachers' College
- The Mico University College
- HEART/NSTA Trust
- University of the West Indies, Mona