Early Childhood Educators� Week proclaimed for March 9-16

Education Minister Judy Foote and Health and Community Services Minister Julie Bettney are pleased to proclaim March 9-16, 2002 as Early Childhood Educators� Week.

Early Childhood Educators� Week reminds everyone in Newfoundland and Labrador of the important role of early childhood educators in the development of our youngest students.

"I am delighted Early Childhood Educators� Week falls on the heels of Education Week," said Minister Foote. "It is essential we recognize that education does not begin with a child�s introduction to Kindergarten. Early childhood educators play a vital role in the development of children�s literacy. The more exposure children have to age-appropriate language and play, the better their chance for success in school. It is vitally important we support early childhood educators and recognize the valuable role they play in our children�s development."

With this in mind, the Department of Education announced last month $133,521.40 in grants for early childhood literacy programs.

"The importance of the experiences a child has in the first few years cannot be overstated," said Minister Bettney. "The effects are lifelong and have a profound influence on school success. Those who provide child care services to young children, either in centres or in their homes, play a vital role in the development of young children."

In recognition of the importance of the early years, the Department of Health and Community Services has provided significant funding to support and promote quality child care. Funding has increased from just over $3 million annually in 1997 to over $10 million today. This increase in funding has enabled the department to expand the services to the child care sector, increase child care rates and subsidies, provide grants to child care centres to buy equipment, and hire child care services consultants in Health and Community Services regions.

"We understand and appreciate the key role our early childhood educators play in providing child care services to children and their families," said Minister Bettney. "This fall we initiated a program which will see these educators who work in licensed day-care centres receive educational supplements."

In July 2001, government announced a five-year, $36.6 million early childhood development initiative entitled Stepping into the Future. Issues to be addressed under the plan include:

• healthy pregnancy, birth and infancy;
• parenting and family supports;
• early childhood development, learning and care; and
• community supports.

These four key areas of action support the goals of the province�s Strategic Social Plan, which promotes the implementation of programs and services aimed at prevention and early intervention for the welfare of all children.

Media contact:

Nora Daly, Education, (709) 729-1906
Carmel Turpin, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377

2002 03 11                       12:40 p.m.