CHARLOTTETOWN, Dec. 4 /CNW Telbec/ – An innovative new children's program got its official launch here today in a school gym packed full with kids and parents and government, education, health and community officials.

Called "Smart Start", the program is a unique partnership between the Eastern School District, Prince Street School, Public Health Nursing, Holland College, the University of PEI and CHANCES, a non-profit community agency. Operating out of two inner city locations, the program reaches out to local families offering a full day/full year child and family program that includes pre-and post natal resources, nutrition counselling, an early development program for infants and toddlers, school-based pre-school for two to four year olds, and child/parent activities, resources and information.

Jamie Gill's son Hudson attends the preschool program at Prince Street School. "The fact that the program is in our local school is wonderful because our older son attends the same school," she says.

"At Smart Start we meet other parents and the staff are always there with helpful parenting tips," adds dad Wendell Burke.

Terry MacIsaac, the principal at Prince St School welcomes preschoolers and their families into his school: " It gives us an opportunity to expose our children and their parents to the school culture and climate and vice-versa. We believe that the relationship that results is essential to the academic, social, and emotional development of the children. This approach holds enormous promise for all our students."

The Smart Start partnership is the tenth program in Atlantic Canada to receive support from the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation. A three-year grant of $300,000 helps support start up costs and funds research into the model.

via www.cnw.ca

November 20, 2009
 
 
OPEN LETTER TO THE PREMIER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
 
 
Honourable Gordon Campbell
Premier
Province of British Columbia
PO Box 9041 Stn Prov Govt 
Victoria, BC  V8W 9E1
 
 
Dear Premier Campbell,
 
The Early Childhood Educators of BC, writes to you today to outline concerns we have with the state of public policy and spending on programs for children in BC.  While we are more than aware of the deficit facing the taxpayers of BC and the challenges your government faces financially, none-the-less, we believe that some of the choices being made are detrimental to children’s health and BC’s family well-being.
 
While $300 million dollars per year is spent on child care in BC, $200 million of these funds are direct subsidy to low income families.  We know this funding is important for low income families, however it does not build a system, increase spaces to combat wait lists nor does it make child care affordable for families.  Wait lists are at crisis proportions in this province while early childhood educators are leaving the field as they cannot afford to make a living wage in the profession.  
 
Minor capital grants for child care centres have been decreased from $5000 per program  per year to $2000 per address per year. In 2008, and again in 2009, child care programs received child care enhancement funding though BC Council for Families.  This money is now gone.   All of these decreases and changes will impact programs’ ability to operate and parent fees will increase once again.  
 
Provincial offices of the infant development programs and supported child development have been eliminated without consultation with parents and programs.  We are told the MCFD Safe, Strong and Supported plan will address integrated service, but on the ground we have little information.  How will you ensure that children with special needs will receive specialized attention and service without the expertise of these important programs?
 

Finally and the most disturbing, for six years in a row, BC has recorded the highest child poverty rates in Canada.  How could you have allowed this to happen?  BC needs a comprehensive poverty reduction plan which must include the building of a quality, affordable child care system.   What are your immediate plans to address this situation? What is your plan to address the child care crisis in BC?
 
The lack of a comprehensive plan for early care and learning is simply unacceptable.  While we understand that the Ministry of Children and Family Development has completed their early years plan, it has not been shared publicly and therefore we are left in the dark as to the direction government plans to take regarding our young children.  With birth rates falling and baby boomers retiring, business leaders are raising the alarm bell regarding the lack of qualified workers in the province.  The absence of a plan for development of a comprehensive child care system is detrimental to the economy and to helping BC get back to a strong and viable economy.
 
Under the Ministry of Education, the development of all day kindergarten is a step in the right direction.  ECEBC has been supportive of the decision to develop all day kindergarten, but we are now increasingly alarmed that adequate planning and resources have not been directed to its development.  You have a huge opportunity to build a strong, comprehensive and full day system that will allow optimum development of five year olds and allow their parents to work or study.  
 
To do this well, requires adequate resources for renovating existing classrooms, hiring educators who are trained to work with this age group and ensure appropriate resources and equipment are in place to support their care and learning.  While we understand there will be a need for early childhood educators, the dearth of information and consultation is disconcerting.  What is the plan for all day kindergarten?  How will working parents be supported to have their children in all day kindergarten?  
 
The Early Childhood Educators of BC await your reply.
 
Yours truly,
 
 
Vi-Anne Zirnhelt
President of the Board

ECEBC -  2774 East Broadway, Vancouver, BC  V5M 1Y8  ·  P 604 709 6063 · F 604 709 6077 · TF 1800 797 5602 · www.ecebc.ca