Your feedback needed on an integrated system of early care and learning in BC

The Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC and the Early Childhood Educators of BC is seeking participation in a survey on an Integrated System of Early Care and Learning in BC.

The Emerging Plan for an Integrated System of Early Care and Learning in BC responds to the growing role ministries of education are playing in the early years. You can download the briefing note here.

This is an international, national and local trend, reflected in BC by the move to full school day
Kindergarten for 5 year olds and a promise of ‘pre-kindergarten for 3 and 4 year olds to follow.

While the extension of universal, publicly funded free services to young children is welcome, the Coalition is concerned that BC is proceeding without a strategy to include the child care sector or meet the needs of
all families ... particularly working families. They are taking the initiative to inform the change now underway.

The emerging plan builds on what is already well established. Families need access to quality care.
Quality child care IS early learning. Current policies and approaches do not meet the need of BCs
children and families. Public spending on the early years is a wise social and economic investment.
Quality matters. Rather than repeat this evidence, the Emerging Plan offers a new and creative
approach to how BC can and should integrate early care and learning.

You can join the discussion and help shape the future of early care and leraning in BC by:

1) Contacting the coaltion is you are interested in a briefing session for your organizatin or community, and/or

2) Discussing the Plan with colleagues and completing the on-line feedback form at http://surveymonkey.com/s/emerging_plan

For more information about the project, visit www.cccabc.bc.ca or www.ecebc.ca