Early childhood is a time of intense learning which sets a foundation for a healthy and a fulfilling life. We know that a child’s early experiences shape their brain development. We also know that making sure parents have quality practical information, support and access to early interventions all contribute to giving a child the best possible start in life.
It can sometimes be a challenge for a parent to identify and find the right services, program or child care option for their needs. In 2013 the B.C. Government set out its Early Years Strategy, an eight-year commitment to improving the accessibility, affordability and quality of early-years programs and services for families with young children.
One of the keys was to develop a network of BC Early Years Centres (EYC) across the province. Today there are 26 Early Years Centres around B.C. They offer convenient, one-stop access to information, services and referrals for families. The centres exist in schools, child development centres, recreation centres, storefronts, local not-for-profit service provider locations and even as mobile sites.
Communities interested in establishing EYCs are encouraged to apply for one-time funding to host one. Details on the process and about the program overall are available from the new provincial Office of the Early Years, online at www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_years. There is a second round of funding applications underway; it closes on Oct. 28, 2015.
One of the first 12 communities selected to host an Early Learning Centre was the Sunshine Coast. This was, in part, a result of “years of collaboration by the Sunshine Coast Early Years Council,” explains the local project coordinator, Sue Lamb.
The Sunshine Coast Centre includes three sites (Gibsons, Sechelt and Madeira Park) and scheduled visits by individual health practitioners have enhanced its second year of operations. These include public health nurses, dietician, sensory screener, speech and language therapists, dental hygienist, tobacco reduction coordinator, occupational therapists, and child and youth mental health counsellors. All contribute to the information and services focused on young children’s development. To learn more about the Sunshine Coast program, visit them online at www.sunshinecoastearlyyearscentre.ca
Developing an initiative to establish an EYC and to maximize its role in the community relies heavily on feedback from parents. This is a key element for generating ideas on how to include families in activities and for creating the educational opportunities that will enrich projects. Each community has its unique ways to communicate with and among parents, and all are important to the work of the Centres.
Creating a convenient, one-stop location that offers seamless service to families requires cooperation among agencies such as school districts, health, parks and recreation, libraries, and community service organizations. The goal of helping children to achieve their full potential by investing in the early years can be the force that drives this cooperation. After all, helping a child to develop into a successful, healthy adult is not only good for them, it is good for the community as a whole.
