Supporting Priority Investments in Children and Families

$35.4 Million Allocated for Phase II of Province’s Early Learning Strategy

Phase II of the Provincial Government’s Early Childhood Learning Strategy, Learning from the Start, was officially launched at Hazelwood Elementary in St. John’s today as part of a three-year, $35.4 million commitment to early childhood learning initiatives, including the introduction of a universal full-day Kindergarten program in September 2016.

“The planning and implementation of full-day Kindergarten, accessible to all children, is the next step in the development of our six-year Learning from the Start strategy, which had an initial focus on initiatives aimed at children from birth to age three. Since the first phase of the strategy was announced in 2011, we have taken a systematic approach to developing a comprehensive range of early learning programs and services so that by the time our children reach Kindergarten age, they have had the best possible opportunity to develop the social, emotional and intellectual skills necessary to succeed in school, and in life."
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education

Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook allocates $30.6 million over three years to begin an intensive process to redevelop and renovate existing infrastructure, where necessary, and to put the required teaching and learning resources in place when full-day Kindergarten programming is implemented in 2016. An additional $4.8 million is allocated over that same time period to continue to develop and enhance early learning programs and services for children from birth right up to age six.

More details on Phase II programming for Learning from the Start can be viewed in the backgrounder below.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.

QUICK FACTS

• Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook allocates a total of $35.4 million over three years for Phase II of the province's Early Childhood Learning Strategy, Learning from the Start.
• Phase II investment includes $30.6 million to implement a universal full-day Kindergarten program, beginning in September 2016, and $4.8 million for the continuation and enhancement of other early learning initiatives.
• Budget 2014 provides about $872 million for early learning and K-12 initiatives, a 48 per cent increase since 2003.
• For more information on early childhood learning initiatives, visit: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/earlychildhood/initiatives.html.

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BACKGROUNDER
Learning from the Start – Phase II Initiatives

Full-day Kindergarten
Over the next three years, the Provincial Government will redevelop and renovate existing infrastructure, where necessary, and put the required teaching and learning resources in place when a universal, full-day Kindergarten program is implemented in September 2016.

The three-year, $30.6 million commitment includes:

• $1.5 million in 2014-15, for planning/infrastructure;
• $12.6 million in 2015-16 for continued planning and infrastructure projects specifically associated with the implementation of full-day Kindergarten; and,
• $16.5 million in 2016 for infrastructure, furnishing/equipment, learning resources and teaching resources (estimated at approximately 140 teaching units), as well as additional student assistant support as required.

Ongoing costs are expected to be about $13 million annually. Consistent with best practice and research, the program will be based on curriculum outcomes introduced through full days of play-based learning. A play-based curriculum titled Completely Kindergarten will be used as the basis for the full-day Kindergarten program. It can be viewed at: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/curriculum/guides/earlybeginnings/index.html.

Parent Resource Kits
Since the advent of Learning from the Start in 2011, a series of parent resource kits have been developed, or are in development. Each contains a variety of resources and play-based materials (e.g., books, play items, music CDs, activity guides, and parent information) for parents and caregivers to help engage in activities which promote the social, emotional and intellectual development of young children. Kits for all children ages two, four, six, 12 and 18 months are now being distributed province-wide through public health clinics. Kits for 24 and 36 months are under development. This initiative will continue under Phase II of Learning from the Start. By the time children reach age three, they will have received a variety of early learning materials focusing on everyday activities to support early learning at home. For more information, see: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/earlychildhood/initiatives.html#parent.

The Power of Play
The Power of Play is a multi-media campaign focusing on the importance of the early years, and the crucial role of parents and families in taking part in everyday play activities that support a child’s overall development. The campaign includes television and radio ads, as well as a variety of print resources, and will continue with funding provided through Phase II of Learning from the Start. For more information, see: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/earlychildhood/power.html.

Early Literacy Programming
Early literacy refers to everything a child needs to know about reading and writing before they make the transition to school. These essential early literacy skills are best learned within a print-rich environment, through everyday activities, with the involvement of families and caregivers. The Early Literacy Foundations program, designed to give parents and caregivers the tools to promote and enhance early literacy development in children, was launched earlier this year at 14 pilot sites around the province. For more information, see: www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2014/edu/0127n03.htm.

Early Childhood Learning Framework
A provincial Early Childhood Learning Framework is currently being piloted. It provides the overarching, guiding principles for early learning across all learning environments (e.g., home, child care settings, community, and school). Once completed, the framework will outline an approach to early childhood learning with specific emphasis on play-based learning, the important role of adults in supporting children's early learning, a holistic approach to children's development and learning, and the inclusion of children with exceptionalities. The framework will also include a priority focus on parent and child interaction in relation to emerging literacy skills and child development. Pilot feedback will inform the final development of the framework, which is expected to be released this year as part of Phase II of Learning from the Start.

Early Development Instrument (EDI)
The Early Development Instrument (EDI) is a population-based measure focusing on children’s developmental health and readiness for school. It is a reflection of their early learning experiences from birth to age five years. Kindergarten teachers undertook the first full provincial implementation of the EDI in 2013. Implementation will continue through Phase II of Learning from the Start. Results will help inform the ongoing focus of early childhood learning initiatives throughout the province.

Early Childhood Learning Website
The Early Childhood Learning website hosts a variety of early learning resources for parents/ caregivers and professionals. New resources, on a variety of child development topics, are regularly added to the website. The website also features community mapping of early childhood learning programs and services such as child health clinics, child care, family resource centres, public libraries and early literacy programming. For more information, see: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/earlychildhood/index.html.

2014 03 28                                            10:05 a.m.