The centre was established in November, 1972, as a joint project of UNICEF and the University of the West Indies.  The Unit was established to promote early childhood development through training programmes, curriculum development, research and advocacy. 

Originally established as the Regional Preschool Child Development Centre, the Centre evolved into Caribbean Child Development Centre (CCDC) in 1985.

The Caribbean Child Development Centre is a member of the Consortium for Social Development and Research, of the University of the West Indies, Open campus with a mandate related to children and child development. Located on the Mona Campus, our vision is to be the premiere Caribbean academic centre dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life for our children. Our mission is to provide support for holistic development for Caribbean children through collaborative research to inform policy and program development, information management and dissemination, training and public service and advocacy.

CCDC is located at the Mona Campus, University of the West Indies Jamaica. The University is a regional body covering 14 English-speaking countries and CCDC works throughout the member countries. The remit of CCDC extends further to include the countries of CARICOM, and those in which CCDC partners with UNICEF and other programmes. Some of the Centre’s regional work therefore includes programmes in Suriname, Guyana, Belize and Bahamas and cooperation with the Dutch Antilles and the wider region.