With just over a week to go before the deadline for the registration of early childhood institutions, the vast majority are yet to make contact with the education ministry.

It is estimated that just over 2,800 basic schools, daycare centres, pre-schools and other early childhood institutions now operate in Jamaica, but only400 have so far applied to be registered.

This is worrying for the Early Childhood Commission, even though it is expecting a flood of applications close to the February 29 deadline.

Chairman of the commission, Professor Maureen Samms Vaughn, is urging the operators of these facilities to get registered now.

She notes that some persons have not registered because their institutions do not meet the requirements as set out under the Early Childhood Act.

She says, however, that should not prevent persons from registering.

Professor Samms Vaughn says that while the commission has a regulatory function, it also has a development function "and we can't assist in developing what we don't know about".

She is getting support from Education Minister Andrew Holness who says there is no plan to shut down institutions which fail to meet the requirements.

Holness says some principals and teachers in the early childhood sector have the impression that, if they do not satisfy the requirements, they cannot register. However, that is far from the truth.

"Regardless of where you are, in terms of meeting the standards, you should come in and register so that we know who you are."

The Education Minister says he accepts the arguments advanced by several operators of early childhood institutions that they do not have the money needed to meet the requirements of the Early Childhood Act.

Against this background, the Government has decided to reduce the registration fee from $3,000 to $1,500.

The Ministry has also asked the Fire Department to reduce the fee it charges to inspect property while the Health Ministry is to reduce the cost of food handlers permits.

The Government is also considering a proposal to purchase fire extinguishers in bulk and sell these to early childhood institutions at a reduced price.

In addition, the Education Ministry has requested $200 million in its 2008-2009 budget to assist early childhood institutions improve their infrastructure.

The Early Childhood Act sets 12 basic standards for institutions. These include qualified staff, a proper physical environment, safe indoor and outdoor environments and sound financial practices.