The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) was established by the Early Childhood Commission Act (2003), in keeping with the strategic goal of the Government of Jamaica to improve the quality of early childhood care, education and development within the early childhood sector.

The ECC, which is an agency of the Ministry of Education, coordinates all activities, development plans and programmes within the early childhood sector. This integrated approach is critical, as it serves to reduce fragmentation and duplication and has placed under one institutional umbrella, the regulations, standards and policies which govern the sector.

The operations of the ECC are primarily undertaken by three departments – Regulation and Monitoring, Sector Support Services and Cross Sectoral Coordination, which seek to ensure the effective implementation of policies and programmes within the early childhood sector.

The Regulation and Monitoring department has responsibility for the registration of early childhood institutions (ECIs), and monitors their operations, to ensure compliance with the regulations and standards governing the sector. The Sector Support Services department provides developmental support to ECIs and early childhood practitioners (ECPs). The Cross Sectoral Coordination department collaborates with Government ministries and sector partners to coordinate early childhood development programmes, as well as to provide support for community intervention initiatives.
The ECC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, other stakeholders and partners, has developed two National Strategic Plans; (NSP) 2008-2013 and (NSP) 2013-2018 which outline the guidelines for ensuring that children at the early childhood level are provided with the requisite support, in order for them to realize their full potential.