An Eye onEarly Learning

and Child Care in Manitoba

An Eye onEarly Learning

and Child Care in ManitobaSummer 2010

In this issue . . .1 FamilyChoicesMoves

Forward

2 HighlightsFromtheFamilyChoicesBuildingFund

2 MCCPStaffChanges

3 Childcare-FamilyAccessNetworkLangruthPlaygroundDedication

3 HiringTemporaryForeignWorkersTrainedasEarlyChildhoodEducators

3 Retirements

4 MakoonsagChildCareandIntergenerationalCentre

5 BoardDevelopmentTraining

6 QualityEnvironmentstoStimulateChildren’sDevelopment

9 ExemplaryLeadersinChildCare

12 TipsforAttractingandKeepingSubstituteStaff

13 FamilyChoicesScholarships

13 InvestigationAuthorizationProcess-AvoidingDelays

14 IntroducingtheChildCareSafetyCharter

16 TakeOurKidstoWorkDay

16 NorthwestTerritoriesStaffTourWinnipegChildCareCentres

16 Didyouknow……..

17 ChildCareCo-Ordinators

19 ProgressReporttoMarch31,2010

Family Choices Moves ForwardNowinthethirdyearofManitoba’sFiveYearAgendaforEarlyLearningandChildCare,theprovincecontinuestostrengthenandexpandManitoba’schildcaresystem.

InannouncementsforBudget2010,Manitobamadeacommitmenttocreateapensionplanforchildcare.ThefirstprovincewideplanoutsideofQuebec,thepensionplanwillbelaunchedthisfalltoretainastrongearlylearningandchildcareworkforce.

Anadditional650childcarespaceswillbefundedin2010/2011bringingtheprovinceclosertothetargetoffunding6,500spacesby2013.With2,350spacesapprovedforfundingin2008and500in2009,thenumberoffundedspaceswillnowtotal3,500sincethelaunchofthefive-yearagenda.

ThisyearManitobaisalsoinvestingintheconstructionof8newchildcarecentreslocatedacrosstheprovince.Withtheadditionofthesenewcentres,theprovinceisalreadyfundingtheconstructionof29centresnowinvariousstagesofdevelopment.BytheendofFamilyChoices,theprovinceplanstoinvestin35newchildcarecentres.

OtherFamilyChoicesprojectsorprogramsarenowinplaceorabouttostart.Qualityinitiatives,includingthecurriculumframeworkandinclusionpolicies,arewellunderway.Infantandpreschoolenvironmentratingsscalestoenhanceprogramqualitycontinuetobewell-receivedbycentres.OnMay1,2010,TheChildCareSafetyCharterbecamelaw.Forthefirsttime,earlychildhoodeducators(ECE)IIscanapplyfora$350annualtraininggranttohelpthemupgradetheireducationandskills.

Asyouread,youwillseeManitobaexamplesofqualitypracticesandstimulatinglearningenvironments.Individualchildcareprofessionals,whohaveshownstrongleadershipand

skills,willalsoberecognizedfortheirimportantrolesinmaintainingandenhancingqualitychildcare.Asweallknow,qualitydoesnotjusthappen.Qualitychildcareistheresultofeducation,commitmentandlifelonglearning.

CapitalProjectsAnnouncement:DianeHale,PremierSelingerandMinisterMackintoshatRainbowDayNursery.

River Avenue Co-operative Day Nursery Inc.RiverAvenueCo-operativeDayNurseryInc.hasbeenprovidingqualityandflexiblechildcaretothecommunityforover30years.

Thecentredirectorandthebuildingcommitteeraisedfundsandplannedthisrelocationprojectfornearly10years.Oneofthechallengeswastofindalocationintheirareathatwouldallowthemtocontinuetoservethecommunity.WorkingcloselywiththeCityofWinnipeg,anappropriatesitewassecured.InFebruary2008,agroundbreakingceremonywasheldat127BellAvenueandtheconstructionwasofficiallyunderway.

ThenewcentreopenedNovember17,2008.Ithasaplayfuldesignwithlotsofhighwindowstocapturethenaturallightandlowcircularwindowsthatallowchildrentoconnectwiththeoutsideworld.The4,500squarefootbuildingisenergyefficientandincludesmanyenvironmentallyfriendlydesignfeatures.

Theoutdoorplayareacreatesanaturaloasisinthemiddleofthecity.Manyoftheexistingtreesweresavedtoprovideshade.AllourbestwishesgotoRiverAvenueCo-operativeDayNurseryontheirrecentrelocationandexpansion.

MCCP Staff ChangesOnFebruary16,2010,Michelle CarmanjoinedtheQualificationsteamasafull-timestaffmember.Michellehasextensivechildcareexperienceworkingwithchildrenfrombirthtoschoolage.Mostrecently,shewasemployedatVillaRosaParentChildCentrewheresheworkedwithinfantsandtheirparents.

OnDecember1,2009,Donna GraingerandCarol Gardiner,childcareco-ordinatorsfromWestmanandCentralregions,acceptedtermpositionsassafetyspecialists.Theyhavebeenbusydeliveringsafetycharterorientationworkshopsandreviewingprovidersafetyplansandcodesofconduct.

Stonewall Children’s CentreStonewallChildren’sCentrewaslocatedinthebasementofalocalchurchfor30years.Thefacilitywasnolongermeetingtheneedsofthecentreandmorespacewasrequired.In2003,centredirectorJanetGoodman,alongwiththecentre’sboardmembers,setouttorelocateandexpandtheircentre.PartneringwiththeTownofStonewallandthelocalScoutsorganization,theysecuredasiteandthefundraisinganddevelopmentbegan.

ThenewcentrehelditsgrandopeningSeptember17,2009.Itislocatedonthreeresidentiallots,adjacenttoapublicplaygroundandStonewall’sRecreationCentreandsportsfields.Ithasbeendesignedtofitbeautifullyintheneighbourhood.Carefulthoughtandplanningensuredthatthedesignpromotedchildren’sindependencewithfixturesattheirheightandlotsofwindowsframinginterestingviewsoftheworldoutside.TheirpartnershipwiththeScoutsresultedinalargemultipurposeroomthatisusedforchildcareduringthedayandScoutactivitiesintheevenings.Theiroutdoorplayareaisanaturalspaceamongsomelovelyoaktreeswithalargesandareaforplay.CongratulationstoStonewallChildren’sCentreontheirrelocationandexpansion.

WiththeretirementofDianne AndersoninMarch2009,Fereshteh Daneshfaracceptedthepositionofofficemanager/financialanalyst.Since1993,Fereshtehhasworkedintheaccountingsectionsofseveralgovernmentdepartments.

Robyn McEvoyjoinedthequalityenhancementteambytakingatermpositionasaqualityenhancementspecialist.Shehasbeenmentoringcentresastheylearnaboutthecurriculumframework.

InFebruary2010,Rosemary WoodbyleftthecivilservicewhensheacceptedapositionatRedRiverCollegeinthePrincessStreetCampuslibrary.

Highlights From the Family Choices Building Fund

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Childcare - Family Access Network

Langruth Playground DedicationTheLakeviewChildren’sCentreinLangruthdedicatedtheirnewlyrenovatedplayground,inMasterCorporalTimothyWilson’smemory,onSeptember15,2009.Parents,children,localresidentsandrepresentativesofthechildcarecommunitygatheredfortheofficialplaqueunveilingontheplaystructureandchristeningtheship,the“LCCTimothy.”

ThelateTimothyWilson,thesonofJaneWilson,foundingexecutivedirectorofLakeviewChildren’sCentreandChildcareFamilyAccessNetwork(CFAN),diedinAfghanistaninMarch2006.

Withapproximately$4,500donatedinhishonour,thecentrebuiltapirateshipplaystructure,atreestandandkitchenareaplaystructure,abridgeandrockgarden.Treestumpsandabalancebeamwerealsoadded.Parentsandcommunityresidentsdonatedtheirlabourtocreateanaturalplaygroundwithgreenspaceforphysicalactivityandoutdooreducation.

LakeviewisoneofsixchildcarecentresoperatedbyCFANwithothercentreslocatedinPlumas,Alonsa,McCrearyandLaurier.CFANthanksallthosewhodonatedtimeandmoneytowardtheproject.

Hiring Temporary Foreign Workers Trained as Early Childhood Educators

Somecentreshaverecruitedtemporaryforeignworkers,trainedasearlychildhoodeducators,tofillstaffvacancies.Atemporaryforeignworker(TFW),alsoknownasatemporaryresident,isapersonwhocanlegallyworkinCanadabecausetheyhaveatemporaryworkpermit.TounderstandthestepsrequiredinhiringTFWs,centrestaffshouldvisitwww2.immigratemanitoba.com/browse/employers/employers-tfw.html

ATFWmayholdanemployer-specificworkpermitthatallowsthemtoworkonlyfortheemployerlistedonit,ortheymayhaveanopenworkpermitthatallowsthemtoworkforanyemployerinCanada.Formoreinformation,gotowww.cic.gc.ca.

Alltemporaryworkpermitshaveexpirydates.Tocontinueworkingbeyondtheexpirydate,aTFWinManitobamustapplytoHumanResourcesDevelopmentCanadatorenewtheirworkpermitbeforethedate,eitherwithanewLabourMarketOpinion(LMO)oraManitobaProvincialNomineeProgram(MPNP)workpermitsupportletter.Formoreinformationonthisprocess,gotowww.hrsdc.gc.caorwww2.immigratemanitoba.com/browse/howtoimmigrate/pnp/pnp-employerdirect.html

Forgeneralinformation,contactManitobaLabourandImmigrationatwww.immigratemanitoba.comorcallLarryDeBlaereat945-4404.

Retirements

Doug Ritchot,managerofadministration,financeandsystemsretiredinDecember2009after36yearswiththeprovincialgovernmentand22yearswiththeManitobaChildCareProgram.Doug’sskills,knowledgeandpleasantdispositionaremissed.

Yvette Bruneau,childcareco-ordinatorintheEastmanRegion,retiredinAugust2009after18years.Shestartedhercareerinchildcarein1983andbecamethedirectorofLaGarderieJolysCo-opInc.beforebeginninghercareerwiththeprovince.

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WithplansfortheMakoonsag(pronouncedMakoosug)ChildCareandIntergenerationalCentrecomplete,Phase1ofProjectMakoonsagwaslaunchedwithagroundbreakingceremonyonApril23,2010.Inthisphase,threevacantlotsbehindtheUrbanCircleTrainingCentre(UCTC)willbedevelopedintoaninfantandpreschooloutdoorplayspace,anintergenerationalgreenspace,urbanforestandnaturegarden.Overthefallandwinter,UCTCwillbeginPhase2withthetransformationoftheformerRedApplebuildingintoanewchildcareandintergenerationalcentre,connectedtotheirtrainingcentre.

TheUrbanCircleTrainingCentre,establishedwiththespiritualguidanceofStellaBlackbirdabout20yearsago,offersholistic,skill-specifictrainingtoover120Aboriginalstudents.Currently,studentsatthecentrecanearnaGrade12educationandgoontostudyforacollegediplomaasanursingassistant,afamilysupportworkeroraneducationassistant.DiscussionswithRedRiver

Collegetoofferanearlychildhoodeducatordiplomaarealsotakingplace.

ProjectMakoonsag,meaning“manylittlebears,”beganafterelders,boardmembersandstudentsattheUCTCrecognizedtheneedforanonsitechildcarecentretosupportstudentsandthesurroundingcommunityduringa2006workshop.AcommunitypartnershipwiththeInnerCitySocialWorkProgramsoondevelopedandtheplanexpandedtoincludeanintergenerationalfocus.

Moststudentsaresingleparentsrequiringchildcarewhiletheyupgradetheireducationandskills.Offering52childcarespaces(12infantand40preschool),ProjectMakoonsagwillprovidechildcarethatallowsstudentstoseetheirchildrenduringtheschoolday.Elderswillbeavailabletosharestorieswiththechildrenandteachthemabouttheirculture.Thecentrewillcreateanintergenerationalenvironmentwherechildren,parentsandelderslearnfromeachotherandcelebratespecialtimeswithtraditionaldancing,drumming,mealsandmusic.

Thisstrongculturalcomponentisalreadyembeddedinthestructureandteachingofthetrainingcentre.Themedicinewheelisrepresentedonthewalls,windows,flooringandartwork.Ceremoniesareheldwithintheframeofateepee,locatedinthefoyerofthetrainingcentre,withthesacredeaglestaffatitscore.Theturtleteachingsofloveandtruthprovidethespiritualfoundation.UCTCstudentslearnaboutAboriginalcultureandhistoryforthefirstfourweeksandthenonedayaweekfortheremainderoftheirskilldevelopmenttraining.Culturalteachingsarealsointegratedintoallaspectsofthecurriculum.

Makoonsag Child Care and Intergenerational CentreUrban Circle Training Centre

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WithaManitobaboardgovernancegrant,UCTCisdevelopinganalternativegovernancemodeltooverseethechildcareoperations.Theyplantointroduceaninclusivegovernancestructurewithhighparentalandcommunityinvolvement,basedonAboriginalculturalvalues.Thismodelwillallowforflexibility,creativityandcommunitybuildingwhileensuringthechildcareneedsofstudentsaremet.Themodelwillalsoprovideforstrongconnectionstocolleges,othertraininginstitutionsandresearchfacilities.

Planningtoexceedprovincialregulations,MakoonsagChildCareandIntergenerationalCentrehopestobeademonstrationcentrewithanearlychildhoodeducationtrainingandresearchcomponent.EleanorThompson,directorofdevelopment,iscurrentlydiscussingtheseplanswithRedRiverCollegeandtheInnerCitySocialWorkProgram.Byworkingwiththecommunity,government,schoolsandlocalorganizations,UTCTismovingforwardwithProjectMakoonsag.Soon,itwillbeareality.

Sitting(L-R)DianeScribe-Niiganii,YvonneLandon,PattiWandowich,SteveBrittonStanding(L-R)SharonSlater,KimEmbleton,HavenStumpf,EleanorThompson.

Board Development Training

ChildcareboardmembershadtheopportunitytoattendoneoftenEnhancingBoardGovernanceWorkshopscurrentlybeingofferedacrosstheprovincebytheAgencyAccountabilityandSupportUnit(AASU).Theseworkshopshavebeenwellreceivedinthepast,sotheSpringsessionsfilledupquickly.

Boardmembersfrom24childcarecentresparticipatedinoneofthe14workshopsofferedbetweenSeptemberandDecember2009.ConductedbytheAASU,thesethreehoursessionswereheldinDauphin,ThePas,Steinbach,Gimli,FlinFlon,BrandonandWinnipeg.Nineadditionaltrainingsessionswereprovidedforchildcarecentreboardmembersanddirectorsduringthesametimeperiod.

Theworkshopsprovideboardmemberswithinformationabouttherolesandresponsibilitiesofnon-profitboards,legaldutiesandliabilitiesandthedifferencesbetweengovernanceandmanagement.

Overallfeedbackfromparticipantsindicatedtheworkshopswerewellpresented,informativeandusefulfornewandseasonedboardmembers.Examplesofparticipants’commentsinclude:

“Veryinteresting,nowasteoftime,valuableinformation.”

“Great.Exceededmyexpectations.GladIhadthechancetocome.”

“Thiswasaverygoodsession.Newmembersshouldbeencouragedtolearnandlong-termmemberscanberemindedofwhattheirjobis.Presenterswereveryknowledgeableandopentoquestions.PLEASEofferthesessionsagain.”

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Quality Environments to Stimulate Children’s DevelopmentART Arrangematerialsinaninviting,accessible,familiarandorganizedmanner.Avarietyofmaterialswithmorethanonepurpose(drawing,paint,3-D,collageandtools)stimulateandsustainchildren’screativity.Allowforindividualcreationsthroughself-expression.Displaychildren’sartworkateye-levelinanappealing,aesthetically-pleasingway.Includecommentsandquotesofchildren’sthoughtsandideas.

Agassiz Child Care Centre – Creative Ideas for Art Projects

3-Dartcreatedfromrecycledmaterials. Individualizedartusingtinfoil,ratherthanpaper,displayedinanattractiveway.

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Avarietyofmaterialsareneatlyorganizedandaccessible.Childrencaneasilysee,reachandchoosematerialsfortheirprojects.

Individualizedpreschoolartwork,usingdifferentmaterials,wherenotwocreationslookthesame.Createdduringfreeplay,staffshowedtheimportanceofthechild’sworkbydisplayingtheartonthewall.

Individualizedartworkwith

commentsaboutthechildren’s

thoughtsandideas.

Hamiota Kids Club

Universal Day Care

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NATURE/SCIENCE Nature/Scienceisacollectionofnaturalobjects,livingthings,gamesandactivitiesthatareaccessibleandappealingtoexplore.Scienceiseverywhere.Throughexperiencesandinteractions,findoutwhatthechildrenknowandwhattheywanttoknowmoreabout.Usethisinformationtochooseyournature/sciencematerials.

Beautiful Savior Lutheran School Nursery/Day Care ProgramAcollectionofnaturalobjects,livingthings,gamesandactivitiesattractivelydisplayedandeasytouse.Pictures,booksandmaterialsalsoshowdiversity.

St. Maurice Day Care:Texturetablefilledwithshellsandstonestotouch,lookatandsort.

Hamiota Kids ClubInspiredbychildren’scommentsandquestions,thissimple,colourfuldisplayinviteschildrentoexploresealife.

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Exemplary Leaders in Child CareEveryday,childcareprovidersinfluencethehealthydevelopmentofchildrenintheircare.Theyunderstandthatchildren’slearninghappensthroughouttheday,oftenduringseeminglyordinarymoments.Thechildcareproviderscomplementparentsandsupportthefamilyunitbyprovidingchildrenwithahomeawayfromhome.Childrentaketheirearlylearningyearswiththem,sochildcareprovidershaveanimportantroleinchildren’sfuturesuccess.

Inthis,andfutureeditions,wewillrecognizeoutstandingchildcareprovidersfortheiryearsofdedicatedserviceinchildcare.Asleadersandmentors,theyconsistentlydemonstratetheirdesiretoimprovechildcarepracticesandcreatesafe,inclusiveandstimulatingenvironmentsforchildren.Theystriveforexcellenceandencourageotherstodotheirbest.Theyinspirebyexample.Manitoba’schildcaresystemisstrongerbecauseofthediligenteffortoftheseindividualsandotherqualitychildcareproviders.

Nienke Schutz-Kolster Director of Teulon Daycare Inc.

“It’sthepeopleandchildrenthathavekeptherinchildcarefor35years,”saysNienkeSchutz-Kolster,directorofTeulonDaycareInc.“It’ssuchimportantworkandtherearen’tmanyjobsthatpayyouforplayinginthesandboxeither.”

BorninTheNetherlands,Nienkecompletedadegreeinchildcareinherhomeland.Afteranumberofyearsworkingasaplaytherapist,sheattendedaspecialneedscourseinMinneapolisin1975.That’swhenshedecidedtomovetoCanada.

Atthetime,fewpeoplewereeducatedinchildcarepractices,soshewasreadilyacceptedwhensheappliedasthedirectorfortheTeulonchildcarecentre.Teulonhadasmallnurseryschoolprogramlicensedfor25childrenwithonestaffandatwo-seaterouthouse.

Nienkeisnowworkingwiththesecondgenerationofchildrenandtheprogramhasgrownconsiderably.Shesaysshe“hopesthatshehasgrownwithit.”

StilltheonlychildcarecentreinTeulon,ithas12childcareemployeescaringforupto46infant,preschoolandschoolagechildrenattwosites.Withanenormousamountoffundraisingandthesupportofthecommunity,theyalsobuiltanewcentrethatopenedin2007.

Overtheyears,Nienkehasmentoredmanystaffmembers,encouragingthemtoupgradetheireducationalqualifications.Fourstaffmembershaveworkedatthecentreformorethan28years.Others,whostartedtheircareersinTeulon,havemovedonandnowworkasdirectorsatStonyMountainandtheStonewallChildCareCentres.

Nienkerealizesthatshealsoneedstostayfreshandfocusedonthebestchildcarepractices.Shestayscurrentasapracticuminstructorandparticipatinginqualityenhancementsinthechildcarefield,suchasthecurriculumframeworkandtheenvironmentalratingscale.

Brigitte Insull Director of Seven Oaks Child Day Care Centre Inc. and School Age Program

“Rootsareimportant,”saysBrigitteInsull.“IfeelentwinedwiththeSevenOaksChildCareCentreanditsstaff.We’veexperiencedbirthsanddeathstogetherandwecareabouteachother.”

BrigittehasstrongbondswiththestaffattheSevenOaksChildCareCentrewhereshehasworkedfor25ofher35-yearsinthefield.Anumberofotheremployeeshavemorethan20yearsofserviceatthecentre.

TheopportunitytoworkwithateamofchildcareprovidersattractedBrigittetothechildcarefield.Shealwaysknew

shewouldworkwithchildreninsomecapacityafterearningadegreeinpsychologyanddevelopmentalstudiesattheUniversityofWinnipeg.

Asdirector,shestayscurrentwithchildcarebestpracticestomaintainqualityprogrammingforchildrenatthecentre.Shealsoencouragesstafftodotheirbestsotheymayfeelasenseofprideintheirwork.Throughouthercareer,Brigittehasofferedaninclusiveenvironment.Childrenwithadditionalsupportneedsrepresentabout10to15percentofthecentre’senrolment,asinthegeneralpopulation.BrigittealsoprovidedleadershipinthefieldbypromotingnaturalplaygroundsandgardensasamemberofthesteeringcommitteefortheManitobaNatureActionCollaborativegroup.ShesaysthenaturaloutdoorsettingattheSevenOaksChildCareCentrehasenhancedprogrammingandresultedinmanyenjoyableopportunitiesforchildrentoplayandlearn.

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Diane HaleDirector of Rainbow Day Nursery (six sites)

“Childcareisincrediblyrewarding,becausewedealwiththewholechild,thewholepersonality,”saysDianeHale.“Everysingleday,wegohomeknowingwehavehadanimpactonthemindsofthechildren.”

ArrivingfromEnglandin1982withtwoyoungchildren,Dianedecidedtostartachildcarecentreand“hasn’tlookedback.”WhileDianehasateachingdegree,shefoundthechildcarefieldmettheneedsofchildrenwhilemeetingherown.

“Childcareissuchawonderfulvocation,”saysDiane.“Theyoungchildrenlearn,playandlovetocuddlewithstaff.”

Dianeistheadministratorofsixsites,butshestillwalks

childrentoschoolandworksside-by-sidewithotherearlychildhoodeducators.

Tosupportqualitychildcare,DianeencouragesstafftoupgradetheirqualificationstoanEarlyChildhoodEducator(ECE)IIorIII.Whensheseestalentedandcreativechildcareassistants,shestrivestogivethemtheopportunitytogrowanddevelop.BeforeManitobastartedtheStaffReplacementGrant,DianeconvincedtheboardofdirectorstopaystaffsalarieswhiletheyattendedtheworkplaceECEtrainingprogram.

Shebuildsonstaffstrengthsbyallowingthemtotakeonleadershiprolesorco-ordinateworkshops.Shealsoletstheemployeesintroducenewideasandsupportsthemalongtheway.Asaresult,childrenarenotafraidtotrynewthingseither.

Dianestrivestoofferanexceptionalprogramforchildrenandtheirfamilies.It’sclearthatherloveofchildcarehasbeeninfectious–hersister,daughteranddaughter-in-lawarenowearlychildhoodeducatorsatthecentre.

Fernanda HodgsonExecutive Director of Day Nursery Centre Inc. - Crossways, Greta Brown and Kennedy sites

“Iwasluckytobeoneofthosepeoplewhoknewwhattheywantedtodo,”saysFernandaHodgson,executivedirectorofDayNurseryCentreInc.

Whilestudyinghumandevelopmentinhighschool,herteacherrecognizedhertalentsandencouragedFernandatoconsideracareerinchildcare.

Thirtyyearslater,Fernandacontinuestoenjoyworkinginafieldthatallowshertogrowpersonallyandprofessionally.

Asachildofimmigrantparents,shewasdrawntotheinnercitywhereDayNurseryCentre’sthreesitesarelocated.Here,Fernandawasgiventheopportunitytohelpchildrenfromimmigrantfamiliesandfamiliesfacingotherchallenges,suchaspoverty,toreachtheirpotential.

“Workingwithagreatteamofpeopleinadynamicprofessionhaskeptherinterestedandfulfilled,”saysFernanda.“Iamhappytoseethechildcarefieldcontinuetomoveforwardasaprofession.”

Byintroducingaworkplacehealthandsafetyprogram,Fernandaimprovedworkingconditionsforchildcareemployeesathercentreandprovidedaninformationvideoforotherfacilitiestouse.FernandasayssheishonouredtobepartoftheDayNurseryCentre’s100yeartraditionofprovidingservicetofamilies.

Lori Cariou-Markusoff Early Childhood Educator III at K.I.D.S. Inc.

“It’sajoytocometoworkeveryday,”saysLoriCariou-MarkusoffsaysaboutherpositionatK.I.D.S.Inc.Afterworkinginanumberofcapacitiesinthechildcarefield,includingasateacheranddirector,Lori

realizedthatsheis“happiestwiththekids.”Currently80percentofhertimeisspentinfrontlinecare.Shespendstherestofhertimeasthetrainingandcurriculummentorforthecentre.

“It’saperfectcombinationforme,”saysLori.“Ilovelearninganddiscoveringwiththechildren,butIalsoenjoyintroducingnewchildcarepracticestomypeers.”

Loriintroducedemergentcurriculumatthecentreandhelpedestablishmulti-agegroups.Lorisaysthesepracticeswerewelcomedbecausesheworkswithahighlytrained,talentedteam,dedicatedtoqualitycare.

LoriCariou-MarkusoffwithLucasandJenniferGoldenberg.

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Donna McCann Family Child Care Provider

Whenherchildrenwereyoung,DonnaMcCannrealizedthattherewasaneedinhercommunityforfamilychildcare,soshebegancaringforchildreninherhome.HerownchildrenagreedtosharetheirhomeandmotherwithotherchildrenandDonnanoticedtheywereenjoyingthesocialization.

Whileherchildrenarenowgrown,shesaysshedoesnotknowwhatshewoulddowithouteightchildrencomingtoherhomefivedaysaweek.

“Thechildrenandtheirparentsarelikeanextendedfamily,”saysDonna.“For33years,IhavebeengivingchildrenthesamecareIwouldgivetomyownchildren.”

Donnabelievessomechildrenneedahomeenvironmentandgentleteachingtothrive.Tomaintainqualitycare,DonnaupgradedhereducationtoanECEIIIclassificationandcontinuestoattendworkshopsofferedattheFamilyCentre.Shealsostaysconnectedwithotherprovidersintheneighbourhood.

Maxine BalbonFamily Child Care Provider

(LefttoRight)SaadQasim,JenniferBlack,KashtonKaptein,LandenFurnival,BroganAntonationandMaxineBalbon

“Oneaccomplishmentalwaysledtoanothergoal,”saysMaxineBalbon.

Maxineoriginallystartedafamilychildcaretopayforavacation.After25yearsinthefield,shestillthoroughlyenjoysworkingwithchildren.

Onceshemadeacommitmenttothechildcarefield,sheupgradedhertraining.MaxinefirstcompletedthefamilydaycaretrainingprogramthroughNewCareersin1991.SheearnedanECEIIdiplomain1998asapart-timestudentinthe

RedRiverCollegePriorLearningProgram,beforeenrollingattheUniversityofWinnipeg.Completingoneortwocourseseachyear,sheearnedadegreeinDevelopmentalStudiesinJune2009.MaxinenowhasanECEIIIclassification.Shecontinuestostaycurrentinchildcarebestpracticesbyteachinga40-hourintroductorychildcarecourseatRedRiverCollege.

“Ibelievechildcareisawonderfulcareer,withmanyopportunitiestosupportchildren’shealthydevelopment,”saysMaxine.“Oneofmygreatestrewardsishavingchildrenvisitaftertheyhavegraduatedfromchildcare.”

Manychildrenstartwithherprogramasinfantsanddon’tleaveuntiltheyare12yearsold.Thefamiliesbecomefriends,includingonefatherwhojoinedthechildrenforluncheverydayforfouryears.

ShealsofeelsasenseofsatisfactioninbringingfamilychildcareproviderstotheManitobaChildCareAssociation,wheretheynowreceivehealthinsuranceandgroupbenefits.

Noelle Campbell Director of Wolseley Family Place Playroom

“Workingwiththewholechildandtheirfamilies”isimportanttoNoelleCampbell.For12years,shehasbeenthedirectorofWolseleyFamilyPlacePlayroomNurserySchool.

Duringher33-yearcareerinchildcare,shehasworkedinruraland

urbansettingsinfamilychildcare,full-timecentrecareandnurseryschoolprograms.Alwayswantingtoensurethatshe“doeswhat’sbestforthechildren,”sheupgradedherchild

careskillsbycompletinganEarlyChildhoodDevelopmentdiploma(ECEII)andearningadegreeinDevelopmentalStudies(ECEIII).

WolseleyFamilyPlaceservesinnercityfamilieswhereparentscanbookachildcarespaceorjustdropinatthecentrewiththeirchildtogetrespiteorattendcoursesattheWolseleyFamilyPlace.Activitiesvaryfromdaytoday,accordingtotheagesofthechildrenattending.Thisnurseryschoolhastobeflexibletorespondtotheneedsoffamiliesfacingdifficulties.

“Ifeelgratified,knowingthatthenurseryschoolishelpingparentsandtheirchildrenduringstressfultimes,”saysNoelle.“Withmyeducationandexperienceindifferenttypesofchildcare,Iamabletoadapttotheconstantchangesthatmakemyjobbothinterestingandchallenging.”

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Tips for Attracting and Keeping Substitute Staff

To attract substitute staff:■■ Advertiseundergeneralhelpin

newspapers.

■■ Advertiseatcollegesanduniversitieswherestudentsarelookingforpart-timeworkandwillingtoworkvarioushours.

■■ Placepublicserviceannouncementsinlocalnewspapers.

■■ Useplainlanguagesuchas“interestedinworkingwithchildren”or“gainnewskillswithchildren.”

■■ Avoidjargon,suchasCCA.Peopleoutsideofthechildcarefieldwillnotknowwhatthatmeans.

■■ Askpart-time,permanentstaffiftheyarewillingtoincreasetheirhoursperiodically.

■■ Contactretiredstafforstaffwantingtoreducehoursleadingtoretirement.

■■ Offermorethanminimumwage,ifpossible.

■■ ApplyforaCanadaSummerJobsgrantforpost-secondarystudentswhoqualifyandtopupthesalaries.

To keep substitute staff:■■ Showthatyouvaluesubstitutesand

makethemfeellikepartoftheteam.

■■ Invitesubstitutestosocialevents,suchasChristmaspartiesandfarewellluncheons.

■■ Provideorientationtosubstitutes,includinghowtheywillreceiveongoingsupportonthejob.

■■ Communicateanychangesinchildcarepracticesandwhytheyweremade,suchashandwashingprocedures.

■■ AcknowledgetheirworkregularlyandrememberthemduringtheweekoftheECE.

■■ Ifthesubstituteishiredonaregularbasis,assignaspecificjobfunctionsuchasoutdoor/natureeducationassistant.

■■ Keepyourcommitmentforpaidtime.Donotsendsubstituteshomeifregularstaffunexpectedlyshowupforworkormakealastminutechangeinvacationdates.

■■ Informsubstitutesinadvanceiftheywillbeneededtocoverregularlyscheduledevents,suchasastaffmeetingeveryWednesdaymorning.

■■ Hireasubstitutetoassistwithspecialoccasions(ieChristmasparty)duringnormalworkhourstoenhanceratios.

■■ Hireapermanent,full-timesubstitutetocoverstaffholidaysandsickdays.

■■ Whenpossible,overstaffbyonepersonsothesubstituteispartoftheregularstaff.

■■ Ifsubstitutesworkfull-timeduringthesummermonths,makethemtermemployees,sotheyhavebenefitsduringthosemonths.

Carolyn Young Director of Manidoo GiMiini Gonaan/ R.B.Russell Infant Centre, David Livingstone School Age Program, the Lord Selkirk Resource Centre and the Lord Selkirk Child Care Centre (under construction)

Carolynlivesbythemotto,“Seeaneed,findasolution.That’swhatIliketodo–makeadifference.”

WhilestudyinginEnglandasanurserynurse,Carolynfirstrealizedherloveofchildcare.Thirtyyearslater,Carolynisstillenthusiasticaboutthework.

Asthedirectorofthreesites,Carolynhasmanyopportunitiestoprovidesolutionsandhelpthecommunity.Shelistenstoparentsandchildrenabouttheirneedsandthendemonstratesleadershipandenergytomakeimprovementsordevelopnewprograms.

Carolynstartedahotmealprogramattheinfantcentrewhensherealizedtheteenageparentswereeatingjunkfoodforlunch.Now,parentsenjoynutritionalluncheswiththeirinfantseverydayandlearnabouthealthyfoodchoices.ProvidingleadershipfortheschoolageprogramatDavidLivingstoneSchool,acommunityresourcecentreandaMomsandTotsprogramareotherexamplesofCarolyn’seffortstorespondtocommunityneeds.Currently,CarolynisguidingthedevelopmentoftheLordSelkirkChildCareCentre.

12

Investigation Authorization Process - Avoiding Delays

1. Pay by cheque, Visa, MasterCard or money order for the Child Abuse Registry check.

Thesearetheonlyacceptablemethodsofpayment.Donotpaybycashorsendcashthroughthemail.

2. Attach a separate payment for each individual Child Abuse Registry check being requested.

WhenonechequeormoneyorderisreceivedforseveralChildAbuseRegistrychecks,theInvestigationAuthorization(IA)processwillbedelayedforallifdocumentationismissingfromanyoftheforms.Paymentandallformsreceived,includingthosecompletedcorrectly,needtobereturnedtothefacility.

3. Review all IA forms to ensure they are completed accurately before sending them to the Manitoba Child Care Program.

Ifinformationismissingorrequireddocumentsarenotincluded,theformswillbereturnedtothefacilityandtheprocesswillstopuntilcorrectionsaremadeormissingdocumentsareprovided.Centreswithaffiliatedsitesneedtorecordallfacilitynumbersrelevanttotheemployeeseekingauthorization.

4. New employees in nursery schools and child care centres must be classified and entered on the facility’s Record of Child Care Employee (RCCE).

TheIAchecks(CriminalRecordandChildAbuseRegistrychecks)cannotbeprocesseduntiltheManitobaChildCareProgramhasconfirmedclassificationandemployment.Allnewlyhiredstaffareresponsibleforcompletingtheclassificationapplication,iftheyarenotalreadyclassifiedinManitoba.EmploymentisconfirmedthroughtheRCCE.

TheonlyexceptionareNurserySchoolparentvolunteerswhodonotneedtobeclassifiedoraddedtothefacilityRCCE.

5. If the Manitoba Child Care program receives accurate IA forms, a facility can expect to receive results in four to six weeks.

AresultsletterwillbeissuedforeachIArequestandmustbekeptonfileatthefacility.

Forinformation,contactManitobaChildCareInformationServicesat945-0776inWinnipeg;tollfreeinManitoba1-888-213-4754.

Family Choices Scholarships

InSeptember2009,Manitobaoffered,forthefirsttime,a$1,500FamilyChoicesscholarshiptostudentsenrolledinthefirstyear,full-timeEarlyChildhoodEducationdiplomaprograminSt.BonifaceCollegeandUniversityCollegeoftheNorth.ThesescholarshipswillhelpsupportchildcarestudentsinfrancophoneandnortherncommunitieswherethereareconsiderableECElabourshortages.

Basedonacademicachievementinhighschool,LizanneSabourin,NicoleBeaudryandEmilieAllardwerethesuccessfulrecipientsfromSt.BonifaceCollege.Thesestudentsdescribethecollegeasan“awesome”placetostudywithsmallclassesandgreatsupportfrominstructors.Frenchbooksaremoreexpensive,sothescholarshipshelpdefraythecosts.AllrecipientsloveworkingwithchildrenandseethemselvesenjoyingcareersasECEs.

EvelineGarand,LizanneSabourin,NicoleBeaudry,EmilieAllard

13

WithTheChildCareSafetyChartercomingintoforceonMay1,2010,allfamilychildcareprovidersandchildcarecentresarenowrequiredtohaveanapprovedchildcaresafetyplanandacodeofconduct.

Threechildcaresafetyspecialists–Carla Kernested–Winnipeg,Carol Gardiner–CentralRegionandDonna Grainger–WestmanRegion–delivered49workshopsacrosstheprovincetohelpprovidersdeveloptheseplansandcodes.Childcareco-ordinatorsandManitobaChildCareProgramstaffhelpedruntheworkshops.

Introducing the Child Care Safety Charter

Withextensiveexperienceinthechildcarefield,theworkshopfacilitatorsansweredquestionsandhelpedguidediscussionsattheworkshops.ResourcemanualsandtemplatesforDevelopingEnhancedSafetyPlansandCodesofConductweredistributedtoallparticipants.Thechildcaresafetyspecialistswerealsoavailableasconsultantswhenprovidersweredevelopingtheirplans.

Thesafetyplansandcodesofconductareexpectedtobuildontheexistingregulationstoensurethehealth,safetyandwell-beingofchildreninchildcarecentresandhomes.ManitobaisthefirstCanadianjurisdictionwithacomprehensivelegislatedChildCareSafetyChartertoensurechildren’ssafetyisatoppriority.

14

1 2

3

Safety in Preschool Programs JaniceJ.Beaty,PearsonEducation/2003

JaniceBeatygivespracticaladviceabouthowtocreateasafeindoorandoutdoorpreschoolenvironmentandteachingsafetythroughplay.Theauthoralsodiscusseshowtomaintainsafetyandcalminvariousemergencysituations.Eachsectioncontainschecklists,activitiesforthechildren,andalistofrecommendedchildren’sbooks.ThisbookisavailablethroughChaptersandAmazon.

Safety, Nutrition & Health in Child Care CatherineRobertson,NelsonEducationLtd./2001

Thistextbookauthordiscusseshowtoeffectivelyhandleissuesofchildren’ssafeenvironments,goodnutritionandhealthinpracticalsettings.Robertsondiscussestechniquesincaregiving,buildingculturalsensitivityandusingtheoryandhealthassessmenttools.Thebookincludesavarietyofresourcestohelpyouworkwithchildren,families,andstaff.

ThisbookisavailablethroughChaptersandAmazon.

Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child, LynnRMarotz,MarieZ.Cross,andJeanettiaM.Rush/2008

Learnaboutthehealth,safetyandnutritionneedsofinfantsthroughschool-agechildren,backedbythelatestresearchfindingsinthiswell-organizedtextbook.Itisloadedwithpracticalandusefulactivities,easy-to-accesscharts,checklists,guidelinesandlessonplansthatprovidegoodreinforcementofthekeyconcepts.ThisbookisavailablethroughChaptersandAmazon.

Beyond a Peanut: Managing Food Allergies in a Child Care Setting, DinaClifford/2007

Aneasy-to-usetrainingcoursetogenerateagreaterunderstandingofthesafetychallengesassociatedwithfoodallergies,theseawarenesscardshelpbuildcaregivers’confidenceincaringforachildwithlife-threateningfoodallergies.Thekitincludes:

•36color-codedfoodallergyawarenesscards

•aDVDandtrainerhandbookwithafoodallergymanagementtrainingpresentation

•assessmentquestions

•afoodallergyawarenesssignforyourprogram

ThisbookisavailablethoughRedleafPress(www.redleafpress.org).

15

1 SlavicaMaric–CarpathiaChildren’sCentreInc.

2 TeresaDingleyandKarenPearase,FamilyChildCareProviders

3 CarlaKernested,SafetySpecialistandJo-AnnePalanuk,ChildCareCo-ordinator

4 ScottMichaluk–FortGarryChildCareCentreCo-op,Barb’raKravetsky–DowntownYM-YWCACreativePlay,KarenOhlson–K.I.D.S.Inc.

4

Take Our Kids to Work Day Did you know……..■■ 97percentofinvitedpreschoolcentresandnurseryschools

withenhancedfundingparticipatedinthecurriculumframeworkmentorshipprogram.

■■ ANature Summit for Early Childhood EducatorsonSeptember 10-12, 2010isbeingorganizedbytheManitobaNatureActionCollaborativeforChildren.Formoreinformation,e-mailmnaccnaturesummit@gmail.comorcallMavisat945-0497inWinnipeg.

■■ ECEIIsworkinginlicensedchildcarecentresoroperatingafamilychildcarehomearenoweligibletoreceivea$350annualtraininggranttoupgradetheirearlylearningandchildcarequalifications.CentresmustapplyonbehalfoftheirECEIIemployees.ContactChildCareInformationServicesinWinnipegat945-0776;tollfreeinManitoba1-888-213-4754formoredetails.

■■ OnApril28,theManitobaChildCareProgram(MCCP)heldacelebrationtorecognizetheaccomplishmentsofparticipantssuccessfullycompletingtheprogram’sCompetencyBasedandPriorLearningAssessmentProgram(5variations)betweenApril2009andMarch2010.Intotal,fortyparticipantscompletedtheprogramandarenowclassifiedasEarlyChildhoodEducatorIIs.

(lefttoright)TraceyLewis,MatthewandPrince

AspartofCareerWeek,thousandsofGradeNinestudentsgainedon-the-jobexperienceduringTakeOurKidstoWorkDayinNovember2009.MatthewandPrincespentthemorningattheManitobaChildCareProgram,learningaboutavarietyofjobsinchildcare.Intheafternoon,theylistenedtoManitobaFamilyServicesandConsumerAffairsMinisterGordMackintoshtalkaboutcareeropportunitiesingovernment.

Northwest Territories Staff Tour Winnipeg Child Care Centres

Infall2009,fiveNorthwestTerritoriesEarlyChildhoodServicesstaffshadowedchildcareco-ordinatorsforoneweektotourqualitychildcarecentresinWinnipeg.Eachvisitorwasabletosee12centresandhadthechancetotakepicturesandgatherideastheycansharewithproviderstoimprovethequalityofchildcareintheNorth.

Thevisitorssaidthey“loved”theopportunitytoseequalityprogramsinactionandfeltitwas“wonderfultobehere.”TheirphotoswillbemadeintoaPowerPoint

presentationandDVDsfortrainingchildcareproviders.OneNorthwestTerritoriesemployeesaidsheisthe“eyes”forproviderswhocannottraveloutsideofthenorth.Shecannowshowthemwhattheycanaccomplishintheirchildcareprogram.

AlongwiththeManitobaChildCareProgram,Winnipegchildcareco-ordinators-Gail Provinciano-Lippens, Sue Sydorchuk, Kathy MortonandWendy Hoffman–arrangedthetoursandprovidedinformationonManitoba’slicensingandqualityenhancementinitiatives.NorthwestTerritoriesvisit.

MarleneEdgi,AnneKeizer,WendyHoffman,SherriHughson,ShonaBarbour,Jo-AnnBurkitt

16

COMMUNITY SERVICE DELIVERY DIVISION

Child Care Co-OrdinatorsWINNIPEG

Name Community Area Phone Mailing Address E-mail Address Area Supervisor

LaureyCraig St.Boniface 948-4172 128MarketAve. laurey.craig@gov.mb.ca HeatherMazur WinnipegR3B3N2 948-4062

WendyHoffman FortGarry 938-5240 Unit6-677StaffordAve. wendy.hoffman@gov.mb.ca JaniceLitwin WinnipegR3M2X7 938-5145

LisaKazmerik Elmwood 938-5762 975HendersonHwy. lisa.kazmerik@gov.mb.ca DianaRenaud WinnipegR2K4L7 938-5055

DarleneLee Transcona 938-5186 845RegentAve.West darlene.lee@gov.mb.ca DianaRenaud WinnipegR2C3A9 938-5055

IleneMarchenko St.Boniface 945-2678 100-614DesMeurons Ilene.marchenko@gov.mb.ca HeatherMazur WinnipegR2H2P9 948-4062

KathyMorton AssiniboineSouth 471-8213 2015PortageAve. kathy.morton@gov.mb.ca BarbaraBalshaw-Dow WinnipegR3J0K3 940-2284

Jo-AnnePalanuk Downtown 948-4379 265-391YorkAve. jo-anne.palanuk@gov.mb.ca MargSiegers WinnipegR3C0P4 948-4400

SuzannePazdor Downtown 948-4418 265-391YorkAve. suzanne.pazdor@gov.mb.ca MargSiegers WinnipegR3C0P4 948-4400

LiannePicton RiverHeights 938-5249 Unit6,677StaffordSt lianne.picton@gov.mb.ca JaniceLitwin WinnipegR3M2X7 938-5145

GailProvinciano-Lippens St.James 471-8212 2015PortageAve. gail.provinciano-lippens@ BarbaraBalshaw-Dow WinnipegR3J0K3 gov.mb.ca 940-2284

Vacant Inkster 948-4506 128MarketAve. VincentVillanueva WinnipegR3B3N2 948-4144

GaleSimpson St.Vital 948-4124 128MarketAve gale.simpson@gov.mb.ca HeatherMazur WinnipegR3B3N2 948-4062

SusanSydorchuk SevenOaks 938-5654 Unit3-1050LeilaAve susan.sydorchuk@gov.mb.ca VincentVillanueva WinnipegR2P1W6 948-4144

DonnaTom-Brannan St.Boniface/ 945-0037 2ndFloor donna.tom-brannan@gov.mb.ca HeatherMazur St.Vital/ 614DesMeurons 948-4062 RiverHeights WinnipegR2H2P9 FortGarry

EdenTomczyk RiverEast 938-5185 975HendersonHwy eden.tomczyk@gov.mb.ca DianaRenaud WinnipegR2K4L7 938-5055

BrendaWild PointDouglas 948-4175 2A-111RorieSt. brenda.wild@gov.mb.ca NorlynRitchie WinnipegR3B3N1 948-4448

17

COMMUNITY SERVICE DELIVERY DIVISION

Child Care Co-OrdinatorsRURAL & NORTHERS

Name Community Area Phone Mailing Address E-mail Address Area Supervisor

BarbBaumung Westman 726-6331 BrandonProvincialBldg. barbara.baumung@gov.mb.ca SandraSmithMelanieColli 726-6661 340-9thSt., melanie.colli@gov.mb.ca 726-6959 LorraineCrivea 726-6340 BrandonR7A6C2 lorraine.crivea@gov.mb.caCarolSaville 726-6717 carol.saville@gov.mb.caMarciSul 726-6341 marci.sul@gov.mb.ca

CathyCyr Parklands 622-2344 DauphinProvincialBldg. cathy.cyr@gov.mb.ca LeeGreigHollySweetman 622-2302 3rdFloor,27-2ndAve.S.W. holly.sweetman@gov.mb.ca 622-2362 DauphinR7N3E5

MarciaDesmedt Interlake 785-5279 SelkirkMental marcia.desmedt@gov.mb.ca MarcyHrysioPhyllisKlimpke 785-5107 HealthCentre phyllis.klimpke@gov.mb.ca 785-5184 P.O.Box9600,3rdFloor 825ManitobaAve. SelkirkR1A2B5

GermaineMichaud Eastman 433-2576 P.O.Box98 germaine.michaud@gov.mb.ca KerryTerwin 427rueSabourin 268-6002 St.Pierre-JolysR0A1V0

TerrySmith Eastman 268-6762 Box50 terry.smith@gov.mb.ca KerryTerwin 20FirstSt. 268-6002 BeausejourR0E0C0

BettyKelly Central 239-3121 PortageProvincialBldg. betty.kelly@gov.mb.ca MichelineDurand 25TupperSt.N, 239-3137 PortagelaPrairieR1N3K1

KarenVandijk SouthCentral 822-2868 63BStephenSt. karen.vandijk@gov.mb.ca MichelineDurand MordenR6M1Z6 239-3137

DebOdegaard Northern-FlinFlon 687-1723 102-143MainSt. deb.odegaard@gov.mb.ca AnneDanis FlinFlonR8A1K2 687-1717

AnissaDawson Northern-Thompson 677-7275 Box5–59ElizabethDr. anissa.dawson@gov.mb.ca NickieJensen ThompsonR8N1X4 677-7251

18

FAMILY CHOICES: Manitoba’s Five-year Agenda for Early Learning and Child Care

Progress Report –to March 31, 2010

Agenda Commitment Progress Report

√ 6,500 More Child Care Spaces Funded by 2013

Fundingcommittedfor2,850childcarespacesforchildrenofallagesinneedofcare.

√ Increased Nursery School Enrolment

Enhancedfundingallocatedto23nurseryschools(429spaces)somorechildrencanaccessanearlylearningopportunity.

Maximumfeeof$5persessionmaintainedwithfullsubsidiesforqualifyingfamiliesavailable.

√ Family Choices Building Fund

Fundingapprovedfor57projectstorenovate,expandorcreatenewchildcarecentres,including:

■■ 22thatarecompleteandoperating,creating600newchildcarespaces

■■ 21brandnewchildcaresites(with10alreadycompleteandoperating)

■■ 18inschoolswithsurplusspaceacrosstheprovince

GrantsofferedinNovember2008andJune2009tohelpfacilitiesbuyequipment,enhancecentresecurityandcompleterenovationstosupporthighqualityenvironmentsforchildren.

√ Child Care Safety Charter ManitobabecomesthefirstCanadianjurisdictionwithalegislatedChildCareSafetyCharter,passedinJune2008.

Resourcesandsupports,includingprovince-wideworkshops,providedtofacilitiestohelpthemdevelopcomprehensivesafetyplansandcodesofconduct.

Weatherradiosprovidedforprograms.

√ Age-appropriate Curricula and Enhanced Program Quality

Materialsdevelopedforusebypreschoolcentresandenhancednurseryschoolsastheydefinetheirplay-based,earlylearningcurricula.

Mentorshipandsupportprovidedbyquality-enhancementteam.

Infantandpreschoolenvironmentratingscalesusedtoenhanceprogramquality.Useoffamilychildcarehome-ratingscaleintroducedasaself-assessmenttool.

√ Centralized Online Registry

Acentralizedregistryunderdevelopmenttoprovideparentswithcurrent,reliableinformationaboutchildcareintheircommunities.

√ Lowest Fees Outside of Quebec

Manitobacontinuestoregulatemaximumfees(onlyManitobaandQuebecdoso)andhasthelowestfeesoutsideQuebec.

FeesacrossCanadamonitored.

19

Agenda Commitment Progress Report

√ Greater Inclusion ProgramnamechangedtoInclusionSupportProgramandregulationsestablishedtosupportinclusiveprogrammingforchildren.

Resourcesdistributedtohelpfacilitieswriteaninclusionpolicy.

√ Flexible Hours Currentlyidentifyingneedsforoff-hoursandseasonalprograms;optionsbeingexplored.

√ Stronger Workforce Sixpercentunitincreaseprovidedinoperatinggrants–threepercentinJuly2008andthreepercentinJuly2009.

Wageadjustmentfundestablishedtosupporthourlywagesof$15.50forEarlyChildhoodEducatorIIsand$12.25forChildCareAssistantsintraining.

Workplacetrainingexpanded.

Annualtraininggrantincreasedto$350forChildCareAssistantsandalsoextendedtoEarlyChildhoodEducatorIIs.

Anewrecruitmentcampaignlaunched–“It’sthesmallwondersthatmakethiscareergreat”.

FamilyChoicesScholarshipFundstartedasanincentiveforhighschoolstudentsatUniversityCollegeoftheNorthandCollègeuniversitairedeSaint-Boniface(areaswiththegreatestlabourshortage).

√ Strategic Expansion Ongoingresearchtoidentifytheneedforthestrategicexpansionofchildcarespacesforunder-servicedareas.

√ Stronger Parental Stewardship

Sixgroupsfundedin2008/09andfourgroupsfundedin2009/10tosupportinitiativesthatenhanceboardgovernance.

Ongoingboardorientationsavailablefornewchildcareboardmembersandadhoctrainingsessionsforchildcarecentreboards.

Boardmembersfrom24facilitiesacrossManitobareceivedtraininginfall2009.