The following Motion is set to be moved in the PEI Legislature at some point in the yet to be determined future. This is a positive sign, however let's not forget that such a Motion is not a substitute for developing an updated Early Years Strategy for the Island. 

Now that support for the Early Years is set to be affirmed let's get going with the true strategic work. We must remember that putting children and families first takes more than words it requires solid action with measurable outcomes.   

MOTION

No. 69

Support for the Early Years

Honourable Gerard Greenan gives notice that tomorrow he will move, seconded by Paula Biggar, the following Motion:

WHEREAS learning begins at conception and the most rapid period of brain development happens in the first three years of life;

AND WHEREAS

trajectories are set in the early years for health, learning and behaviour in later life;

AND WHEREAS

literacy and learning is impacted by early experiences, and children’s outcomes at the age of three can predict later school success;

AND WHEREAS

the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is working closely with community partners to create a continuum of high quality learning services that begin in the important early years;

AND WHEREAS

according to Statistics Canada, parents have less time to spend with their children than ever before;

AND WHEREAS

in Prince Edward Island, 80 per cent of mothers with children age 0-5 are in the labor force, the highest in Canada;

AND WHEREAS

in Prince Edward Island, there are many excellent early childhood education centres that offer high quality care and learning opportunities for young children;

AND WHEREAS

the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is working with partners to develop broad family policy that supports the healthy development of children and supports parents in the home, workplace and community;

AND WHEREAS

many partners are involved in the “Take 30 for the Family” program which promotes the importance of spending daily time together as a family and encourages business and community partners to develop family friendly policies;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

that educators, employers, community leaders and all Islanders support initiatives that give children a healthy start in life and provide parents with the supports they need to perform their most important role.

Signed by: Honourable Gerard Greenan

Signed by: Paula Biggar

12 November 2008

2:00 p.m.

Today Parents for Choice and Quality sent out the following message to its members…

Hi Everyone,

We are pleased to update you on some of the recent actions we have taken on behalf of Parents for Choice & Quality Society. 

 

At the beginning of November we sent a Letter to the Editor of all of the major Island newspapers regarding the importance of developing an Island wide strategy for the Early years.  You can find a copy of this letter on our blog/website at www.choiceandquality.com.

Today we have sent a letter to government as a follow-up on the status of the proposed changes to the Child Care Facilities Act and Regulations.  We have also made a formal request for Parents for Choice and Quality to join The Children's Secretariat. We will keep you informed about all of the actions we are taking to ensure Island families with young children receive the support they need.  We encourage you to work with us to build a strong Island network for parents of young children.  At Parents for Choice and Quality we envision a society where children and families have access to a comprehensive and coordinated range of high quality services that supports them in achieving their full potential.

You can become an active member on our blog/website at www.choiceandquality.com.  Please tell your friends and family about what we are working on.  It is our goal to give all Island parents of young children a voice regarding the issues related to the Early Years.

 

Jane and April