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Minister's Message
Summer is finally here!
Exuberance is in the air as thousands of youngsters set free from their classrooms eagerly get ready for some fun in the sun and freedom from the schedule they’ve kept over the past school year. It’s a great time of year for families – picnics at the beach, camping, visiting relatives and friends…even running through the backyard sprinkler can be a memorable and joyous experience. Read more |
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It's the Law!
Starting July 1, all children beween 40 to 80 lbs. are required by law to wear booster seats until their 9th birthday.
"We know that booster seats save lives. In fact, child passenger safety seats dramatically reduce the risk of injury and death for children by as much as 85%"
Did you know?
- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury and death for children in B.C.
- Most injuries and fatalities are preventable when children are properly restrained in age and weight appropriate child seats yet when we began Boost BC only about 18% of kids use booster seats.
- Today, over 50% of B.C. youngsters are properly restrained in passenger vehicles. We are on our way to our goal of over 80%. Congratulations to the parents of B.C. for embracing the program.
- The fine for not transporting children in proper child restraints is $109.
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Cake was served to celebrate the investment of $500,00 to create 25 new child care spaces at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre Association.
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Child Care Professionals Honoured for Excellence
Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid with the Speaker of the House Hon. Bill Barisoff, presented the Child Care Awards of Excellence. These awards were given by the Ministry of Children and Family Development to recognize the valuable contributions early childhood educators and family child care providers make in support of early learning and child care in British Columbia. Fifteen child-care professionals were recognized for their achievements and presented with Child Care Awards of Excellence. Read more
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Update on Child Care Spaces
I am delighted to report that there has been a tremendous response to the Ministry of Children and Family Development's call for applications to the $12.5 million dollar major capital funding program for the creation of new licensed child care spaces.
With this funding, and the interest shown by the child care community, we will exceed the target set last fall to create 2,000 spaces by 2010. In fact, more than 2,200 licensed spaces are expected to open as construction and renovation projects are completed over the next two years. Read more>>
Announcement of Funding for 156 New Licensed Child Care Spaces
More than $270,000 in provincial funding will help child-care providers open 156 new licensed child-care spaces in Burnaby and the tri-Cities. Projects in Burnaby and the tri-Cities include:
- $33,654 for the Down Syndrome Research Foundation to add 12 preschool spaces to other existing services at the foundation, thereby creating a neighbourhood hub in Burnaby;
- $98,149 for the Burnaby Family Life Institute to open 36 new spaces within Morley Elementary school in Burnaby;
- $137,707 for Brightstart Children's Academy to open 94 child-care spaces at a new facility in Port Coquitlam;
- $5,000 for two family child-care projects in Burnaby and Coquitlam to open seven spaces each.
From left to right: Dr. Urs Ribary, B.C. Leadership Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience in Early Childhood Health and Development at Simon Fraser University; Burquitlam MLA Harry Bloy; Minister Reid with 2 1/2 year old Joshua; Burnaby North MLA Richard Lee; Burnaby-Willingdon MLA John Nuraney; Dawn McKenna , Exec. Director, Down Syndrome Research Foundation.
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The New Early Childhood Learning Agency
The Ministry of Education, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, has established the Early Childhood Learning Agency.
The agency is exploring the feasibility of expanding early learning programs in British Columbia. This includes consideration of optional new pre-kindergarten for children ages three and four, and optional full-time kindergarten for five-year olds.
For a copy of the agency’s consultation paper and to provide your input, please visit www.bced.gov.bc.ca/ecla/.
You will be asked to respond to the following questions:
- What are your thoughts on full-school day kindergarten for five-year olds?
- What about parent choice for full-school day, pre-kindergarten programs for four-year olds?
- What about parent choice for full-school day, pre-kindergarten programs for three-year olds?
- What do you think are the most important factors to consider in expanding early learning programs in British Columbia?
Responses received by July 18, 2008 will be carefully considered.
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