In an unprecedented move for a Caribbean resort, Half Moon teamed up with the American Penn State University to certify over 40 of its child care providers.

A deliberate strategic move for the resort's new Anancy Children's Village, Richard Whitfield, Half Moon's managing director, has moved to certify over 45 of the resort's Anancy Children's Village coordinators and nannies by child care professionals of the Penn State's Better Kid Care programme. Penn State University's Better Kid Care programme, since its development over 10 years ago, has trained over 50,000 child care providers in the United States and North America by providing the latest, relevant information regarding best practices in child care.

Photo by Noel Thompson- Minister of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, Aloun N'dombet Assamba (right), cuts the ribbon officially opening the new Anancy Children's Village at Half Moon. She is assisted by storyteller, Amina Blackwood Meeks (left) and managing director of the resort, Richard Whitfield

"Our own research showed that other than CPR and emergency training, there were no certification standards for children's programmes at resorts," said Whitfield. "The mission of the Anancy Children's Village is to provide a safe and enjoyable environment in which visitors will experience the best of Jamaican culture. This certification ensures that this is done to international standards."

The Better Kid Care programme was chosen by Half Moon for its holistic approach to child care. The curricula focused on age-appropriate curricula, team building techniques, health and safety issues affecting children as well as goal planning to better improve on services already provided at the Anancy Children's Village.

long-term planning

According to Patricia Wells, assistant director for distance learning for the programme, "Caregivers should always be looking at the long-term care of their charges in whatever setting, whether it is a resort environment or any other environment. The more training child care providers get, the better care they will provide."

Dubbed the most kid-friendly resort by the renowned Travel and Leisure magazine, Half Moon's Anancy Children's Village, themed after local folk hero Brer Anancy, caters to children aged three-12. Nannies are also available for children up to three years.