Principal wants improved space for Nadz Kidz World

Patricia Harvey, the determined principal of Nadz Kidz World in Seaview Gardens, has been fighting to relocate her overcrowded school to a safer and more suitable location - but so far, her efforts have fallen flat.

The current facility, crammed with 63 students, poses serious safety risks and impedes the delivery of quality education. Despite this, Harvey remains resilient.

"Every time I think about giving up, the parents and kids keep pushing me to continue," Harvey stated. "They actually like the school, and hearing positive feedback motivates me."

The situation at Nadz Kidz World is dire. Since 2018, the fire department has flagged the school for overcrowding and inadequate safety measures.

"We have no safe outdoor space. Classrooms are packed, and we only have one entry because it's a house," Harvey explained.

Additionally, the school lacks the necessary restroom facilities to meet the Ministry of Health and Wellness' regulations, which require at least three restrooms to ensure student safety and hygiene.

Harvey said that the school has not been certified by the Early Childhood Commission, primarily due to the limitations brought on by the current location.

"You can't get certified if you don't have a playground. You can't get certified if you don't have enough space. You can't get certified if the fire department does not give you certification - all of those things - you cannot get certified. We can only work with a permit right now. And when you're certified, you get more assistance from the government," Harvey said.

The principal told THE STAR that their permit to operate as an early-childhood institution has expired.

"We just recently did our inspection to get back the permit, but we're also registered as business. The real fear is getting locked down. That's the biggest one. And being that we cannot get any certificates from the fire department, that again will lessen our chance to get certified," she said.

Financial struggles compound the problem. Revenue generated from student fees is insufficient to cover operating costs, leaving the school with financial losses and underpaid staff.

"My staff are below minimum wage right now. There's nothing I can do about that," Harvey explained. She added, "Without supplemental revenue, we can't offer extracurricular activities or pay reasonable salaries."

In 2019, Harvey secured a lease on lands near the Seaview Gardens Health Centre, with plans to build a new facility that complies with Early Childhood Commission standards. However, the project has stalled due to a lack of funding.

Nadz Kidz World currently serves children from pre-K to K3 and hopes to expand to accommodate 120 students, including a nursery for children under two years old. The proposed new building would feature additional classrooms, a playground, and spaces for computer literacy and extracurricular activities.

"The children will be more comfortable, and parents will feel better knowing their kids are in a safer environment," said Harvey.

The school's future is uncertain, with the possibility of closure looming if the necessary support isn't secured. Harvey is calling on local businesses and the community to step up and help.

"If I get the assistance, it would do great for the community, the school, and the children," she stated, emphasising the potential positive impact on staff and parents.

"I can't give up," she affirmed. "Every year, I say it's my last, but the children and parents inspire me to keep fighting."