Ensuring B.C. kids get a head start in life

VICTORIA - Ensuring B.C. kids get the best possible start in life is a priority in this province, which is why the B.C. government provides more than $296 million in child-care investments annually and has taken the innovative steps of introducing full-day kindergarten and investing in 10 new StrongStart BC early learning centres for rural communities.

This is just one more example of significant progress made by government in the last year to improve the lives of British Columbians and their families by creating and protecting jobs, by becoming more open and transparent, and by continuing to be fiscally responsible in these uncertain economic times.

As of September, the Province made full-day kindergarten available to all students throughout the province, helping to improve early learning, while at the same time reducing child-care pressure on families. Provincial programs such as Success By 6(r) ensure children under six have access to programs and resources supporting healthy growth and development, bringing together key leaders from all sectors to build child-friendly communities.

Government also invested in the Roots of Empathy and Seeds of Empathy anti-bullying programs this year. These programs aim to reduce childhood aggression, bullying and violence by promoting empathy in children.

The Province has remained steadfast in its commitment to putting families first and will continue to ensure that B.C. families with young children have increased access to programs in their communities.

Quick Facts:

Government is ensuring young children in B.C. get the best start in life. Annual investments in early learning and childhood development initiatives, services and supports include:

• $296 million in annual child-care investments.
• Approximately a $25 million investment on a range of cross-ministry programs designed to support healthy pregnancy, birth and infancy.
• Close to a $64 million investment on parental and family supports such as adoption support services, child and family focused supports, the BC Healthy Kids Program and HealthLink BC.
• An approximately $87 million investment on early childhood development care and learning program investments, including early intervention services, public health nursing, Ready, Set, Learn programs and StrongStart BC early learning programs.
• $365-million has been invested for full-day kindergarten over the next three fiscal years.
• Around $22 million for a range of early childhood development (ECD) community investments such as Aboriginal ECD initiatives, Children First initiatives, and Success By 6(r) programs.

Learn More:

For more information on early childhood development programs funded through the Ministry of Children and Family Development, please visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_childhood/index.htm

For more information on Early Learning programs through the Ministry of Education, such as full-day kindergarten and StrongStart BC, please visit: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/early_learning/

Contact:

Corinna Filion
Communications Director
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-2007