WHEREAS the development of children from the ages of 0-6 is important to the overall development of communities and society; AND WHEREAS long term funding and investments in early childhood development leads to stronger communities and more socially responsible citizens: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM supports the Provinces long term funding commitment to early childhood development programs; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Province be advised that the UBCM does not support any proposed cuts to early childhood development programs to offset short term financial short falls in exchange for long term societal impacts; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the Province to ensure early childhood development remains a provincial priority for funding.
Ministry of Children Family Development The Province of British Columbia is committed to ensuring that all children have the best possible start in life. The Government recognizes that access to quality, enriching and nurturing early years programs has a positive impact on childrens developmental outcomes. The Province continues to invest in our childcare system and has made early learning a priority. This commitment includes providing early learning and child care services that support their physical, cultural, linguistic, cognitive, social, and emotional development. The Ministry of Children and Family Development MCFD believes that children in British Columbia should be strong, safe, and supported to reach their full potential. With an investment of nearly 300 million in child care funding this year, and more than 22 million for early childhood development programs and initiatives, MCFD supports a range of programs and services aiming to optimize the development of healthy children, focusing from birth to six years of age, including the Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Programs. MCFD aims to provide sustainable support to early childhood development and child care services where that is possible. For example, The Success By 6 Early Childhood Development Provincial Partnership met on January 19, 2011 and reached a final agreement of 1.9 million funding for the 20112012 fiscal year. This funding will be added to the 1.5 million held in reserve total funding is 3.4 million, using an accrued 1.5M from current grant dollars. MCFD has advised Success by 6 that it will consider 201213 funding at a later time. Ministry of Education Phase one of the two-year implementation of full day kindergarten began in September of 2010 for approximately half of B.C.s kindergarten-aged children. By next September, full day kindergarten will be available for every kindergarten-aged child in B.C. Research shows that a high quality, play-based kindergarten program has long-term benefits for childrens academic and social skills that help them to succeed in school and life. Full day kindergarten learning is associated with improved literacy and numeracy, smoother transitions to Grade 1, and increased post-secondary graduation rates. In addition, the Province has made use of underutilized school district space to deliver early learning services through our StrongStart BC program. We currently have 316 StrongStart BC programs operating in BC. Research shows that frequent access to high quality, play-based early learning programs have long-term benefits for childrens academic and social development that supports their success in school and life. This program builds on the success of Ready, Set Learn, a kindergarten readiness program, which the province has provided 18 million in funding to over the past 6 years. In 2009-2010, there were 24,000 children participating in the StrongStart program.