Ministerial Council on Early Childhood Learning established

Tom Hedderson, Minister of Education, is pleased to announce the formation of a Ministerial Council on Early Childhood Learning as indicated in the 2004 Speech from the Throne.

Government is fostering a cross-departmental approach to this important issue. Through the council, Education Minister Tom Hedderson; Health and Community Services Minister John Ottenheimer; Human Resources, Labour and Employment Minister and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Joan Burke; and Tom Rideout, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, will provide strategic direction for provincial early childhood learning programs and services. The council will foster the coordination and development of comprehensive programs that focus on the early learning needs of children and their families.

Through this initiative, government will seek to ensure that resources are being used effectively to meet the needs of young children; identify gaps in the types of services available and examine the potential for new, more effective delivery models; determine whether there are geographic areas which do not have access to services; and ensure that children who could benefit most from early childhood education have appropriate learning opportunities.

"Research has clearly shown the benefit of early childhood experiences in supporting later success in life. We will consider research findings and will look at programs in other jurisdictions which have proven to be effective," said Council Chair Minister Hedderson. "Many schools and community groups have already taken the initiative to offer pre-school programs."

Through cooperation with the federal government, the council will ensure this province is able to take full advantage of the anticipated increased funding for regulated early learning and child care programs and services and ensure any new federal investment is targeted properly.

"Currently, there are several early childhood programs and services, funded by both the provincial and federal government, being offered in the province," said Minister Ottenheimer. "The pending federal-provincial agreement should make it possible to build on current efforts to develop programs which will ensure all children in the province have a healthy start in life and are prepared to be successful when they enter school."

"Equipping young children with the skills they need to succeed in school is vitally important," said Minister Burke. "For our clients with Human Resources, Labour and Employment, attaining high school and a post-secondary education offers the best chance of escaping poverty and achieving meaningful, long-term employment. I am pleased to participate on the council to ensure we do all we can to support learning and development among children."

"The survival and prosperity of our aboriginal communities is directly linked with our aboriginal youth," said Minister Rideout. "There are several programs offered by the federal government for our aboriginal youth and through this ministerial council, I am hopeful that we can ensure access to these programs and determine if there are other opportunities for improved co-ordination between the provincial and federal levels of government."

The ministerial council will be supported by the new division of Early Childhood Learning with the Department of Education.

Media contact: Lynn Salter, Communications, (709) 729-1906, 685-5000

2005 02 07                        9:20 a.m.