The importance of early childhood development to Cayman's children, families, future workforce and wider economy will be a central focus of the second annual LIFE Literacy Conference, bringing together leaders and experts from education, health, government, business and the community.
Hosted by LIFE (Literacy Is For Everyone), the conference takes place Saturday, November 7, at Hotel Indigo, Grand Cayman, under the theme "Early Childhood: Shared Responsibility. Shared Success."
The one-day programme will explore the foundations of early childhood development, the long-term consequences when children's needs go unmet and the social and economic case for investing early. It will also examine progress in the Cayman Islands over the past year, before concluding with a cross-sector leadership discussion focused on turning knowledge and awareness into practical action.
A key message throughout the conference will be that early childhood development is not solely the responsibility of parents, educators or government. It is also important to the business community, with implications for the development of Cayman's future workforce, the well-being of working families and the country's long-term social and economic development.
The conference will open with remarks from Her Excellency the Governor, Jane Owen and Hon. André M. Ebanks, MP, Premier of the Cayman Islands.
Understanding the importance of the early years
Caymanian actor, advocate and No. 1 New York Times bestselling author, Grace Byers will deliver a keynote address remotely, titled "Every Child Has a Voice."
Raised in the Cayman Islands, Byers is internationally recognized for her acting career and children's books, including the bestselling "I Am Enough." Her work focuses on confidence, inclusion and helping children recognize their own value.
The programme will explore early childhood development from scientific, educational and economic perspectives.
Dr. Laurence van Hanswijck de Jonge, Clinical Psychologist at KidsAbility, will examine how early experiences influence brain development in "Building the Brain: Why the Earliest Years Shape a Lifetime," while Faith Rochez, Speech and Language Therapist at the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority, will explore children's developmental needs in "What Children Are Telling Us."
The importance of early childhood investment to the business community and wider economy will be explored by Paul Byles, Director of FTS Cayman Islands, in his presentation, "Investing Early: The Economics of Opportunity."
His presentation will examine the economic case for investing in the early years, highlighting why supporting children's development should be viewed not only as a social priority but also as an investment in Cayman's long-term economic future and the capabilities of its future workforce.
The Hon. Rolston Anglin, JP, MP, Minister for Education and Training, will also deliver a keynote address, providing the government's perspective on early childhood literacy, education and development in the Cayman Islands.
Understanding the cost of inaction
A central theme of the conference will be the consequences of failing to identify and respond to children's developmental needs early enough.
An expert panel, "When Early Needs Go Unmet: Understanding the Cost of Inaction," will examine the impact on children, families and the wider community, and the importance of timely identification, intervention and support.
Moderated by media and communications professional Donna Bush, the discussion will feature Delores Thompson, President of the Cayman Islands Early Childhood Association; Dr. Cheryl Rock, Early Intervention Programme Coordinator with the Department of Education Services; Dr. Shannon Seymour, Clinical Psychologist at The Wellness Centre; and Helen Reynolds, a member of the Senior Management Team at HM Cayman Islands Prison Service.
Together, they will bring perspectives from early childhood education, specialist services, mental health and the wider community to examine the importance of providing support when children need it most, and the potential longer-term consequences when that support is unavailable or delayed.
Reflecting on progress in Cayman
The conference will also provide an opportunity to reflect on developments in early childhood education over the past year.
At the inaugural LIFE Literacy Conference in November 2025, KPMG presented "From Play to Progress: Strengthening Early Childhood Education in the Cayman Islands," a report commissioned by LIFE that provided an evidence base for the sector and identified opportunities for improvement.
One year on, LIFE has brought together stakeholders from across education, early childhood provision, specialist services and other sectors to revisit the key areas examined in the original report.
The findings will be presented by LIFE Executive Director, Erica Dell'Oglio in a new discussion paper, "From Play to Progress: One Year On," which identifies encouraging developments, continuing challenges and priorities for the next two to three years.
The paper highlights reported improvements in practitioner training, local qualifications, developmental screening and collaboration, alongside ongoing concerns about affordability, workforce retention, access to specialist services and coordination of support for children and families.
Moving from awareness to action
The conference will conclude with "Shared Responsibility, Shared Success: From Awareness to Action," a cross-sector leadership discussion designed to bring together the day's key themes and consider what needs to happen next.
Moderated by Samantha Nehra, a Director of LIFE, the session will feature Tara Nielsen, MBE, Founder and Director of Acts of Random Kindness; Rayle Roberts, Director of the Department of Counselling Services; Juliet Austin, Education and Outreach Coordinator at LIFE; and Hon. Gloria McField-Nixon, Cert. Hon., JP, Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service.
The discussion will consider the responsibilities of government, educators, health professionals, families, businesses and community organizations, and how stronger collaboration can translate into meaningful improvements for children.
It will also challenge the business community to consider its role in supporting early childhood development, whether through investment in community programs, partnerships with organizations working in the sector or workplace practices that better support employees with young families.
LIFE Executive Director, Erica Dell'Oglio said:
"We know how important the early years are in shaping a child's future, but understanding that is only the starting point. This conference is about what we do with that knowledge, how we support families and educators, how we address gaps in services and how we work together to give every child the opportunity to thrive.
"Early childhood development matters to everyone, including our business community. The children we invest in today are Cayman's future workforce, leaders and parents. There is already good work happening across our community, but we want to recognize that progress, have honest conversations about the challenges that remain and leave with a stronger sense of our shared responsibility for what happens next."
The 2026 LIFE Literacy Conference is free to attend. Registration has closed following strong demand, but those interested in attending can join the waitlist at www.life.org.ky.
This year's conference is made possible through the support of the Ministry of Education and Training; Charles and Sian Jennings; Health City Cayman Islands; Cayman Independent Ltd.; the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage; CG BritCay; Heritage Holdings Group of Companies; Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Cayman Islands; and Wheaton Precious Metals International.