The focus of this paper is on the importance of investing in early childhood education in Jamaica as a strategy for developing quality human capital in support of nation building. The paper highlights national and Caribbean perspectives on early childhood education and development and the experience of investing resources in ECED in the context of severe budgetary constraints and increasing social demands. Other areas examined include the role of international and local advocacy in creating a climate of change and increasing focus on ECED in Caribbean countries; the social and economic climate of Jamaica within the context of demonstrating the links to adult and national poverty of inadequate investment of resources at the early childhood level; and elements of the Caribbean Plan of Action which is a guiding framework for future development of ECED endorsed by 21 Caribbean countries.