Funds for ECE welcome

Jan 10, 2020 | 3:33 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Early Childhood Education program at the College of New Caledonia is overjoyed at a recent announcement of $4 million in additional funding for bursaries to offset the cost of getting an education in that field. It’s a field that has been grossly understaffed for years.

“It’s incredible,” stated Cheryl Emerson, Instructor of ECE at the college. “We’re so excited about it because there are many people who applied in September and didn’t get funds. And what happens when students don’t get funds, it’s really hard for them to continue on in our program.”

The City launched a recent survey of not only the public but services providers to get an idea of where services were lacking.

“Boy! Did we hear from a lot of people,” said Chris Bone, Manager of Social Development for the City.

Some of the most obvious shortfalls in services are for those between zero and 36 months of age.

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“We heard lots of issues around affordability, accessibility in desired locations. Two in particular, were identified. One being the downtown and other being in the Hart.”

She also found that there was a lack of services for children with disabilities.

But the other area identified by the services providers, in particular, was the lack of Early Childhood Educators. She says there is no point in adding child care seats if there are no professionals to oversee the children.

Another issue identified by Emerson is the abysmal pay Child Care Providers make and suggests that maybe a direction the Province wants to take next.

by Cheryl Jahn

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Funds for ECE welcome

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