Universal free pre-primary education for eligible three and four-year-olds will begin from September, as education officials expand access to structured early childhood learning across Barbados while urging parents to play an active role in preparing children for the transition.

Speaking during the Pre-Primary Expansion Parent Engagement Session at George Lamming Primary School, Deputy Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles said the initiative was designed to ensure young children benefit from purposeful learning experiences before entering primary school.

“We are excited about the possibilities and we are making progress as we prepare to have more spaces available for our three and four-year-olds,” she said.