From her role as the City of Vancouver’s first child care co-ordinator to being one of the key players in creating the non-profit Vancouver Society of Children’s Centres (VSOCC), Penny Coates epitomizes the kind of dedication being honoured throughout B.C., announced Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux today as part of Child Care Month.

As program director for VSOCC, Coates oversees the operations of 33 licensed child-care programs at 13 locations in downtown Vancouver. More than 1,000 children from birth to school age participate in these programs each year. Nominated by her peers at the VSOCC for her tremendous commitment to child care throughout her career, Coates is receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Province as part of the 2014 B.C. Child Care Awards of Excellence.

Minister Cadieux honoured Coates and others nominated by VSOCC at the first of several award presentations that will be held over the coming weeks. Other recipients include:

• Barbara Massis, a school-age educator and program supervisor at Elsie Roy Elementary school who uses natural and recyclable materials to teach children to be environmental stewards, is receiving an innovation award.
• The Onni Group, private real estate developers with extensive experience designing, developing, building and managing innovative projects, is receiving an award for business leadership for their commitment to creating new child-care spaces in an investment of more than $14 million to date.

The 2014 Child Care Awards of Excellence are being presented to 15 individuals and representatives throughout the province who, like Coates, have demonstrated outstanding service to children and families. In addition, 43 licensed child-care facilities that have supported children and families in their communities for more than 40 years will receive a Child Care Legacy Award (see backgrounder for full listing of honourees).

Also receiving an award from Minister Cadieux is Guylaine Boilard, who is being honoured in the innovation category for her family day care La Garderie Le Zèbre, which supports francophone families in her community. Parents who have - or had - children at Boilard’s daycare nominated her, with one parent declaring that she is a better mom because she has Guylaine in her life.

From teaching Aboriginal children cultural activities, such as harvesting berries, to educating and inspiring the early childhood educators of tomorrow, other winners include the Tsleil-Waututh Child and Family Development Centre in North Vancouver (innovation category) and Victoria’s Toni Hoyland (lifetime achievement).

The Child Care Awards of Excellence recognize the exceptional contributions made by early childhood educators, licensed family child-care providers, organizations and local governments throughout B.C. Award recipients were nominated by peers, parents and local governments.

Quotes:

Stephanie Cadieux, Minister of Children and Family Development -

“All of these dedicated professionals who care for our youngest learners in communities throughout B.C. deserve our thanks and this special recognition. The compassion and commitment they bring to their jobs are truly appreciated and I’d like to personally congratulate all of them for their outstanding contribution.”

Sandra Menzer, executive director, Vancouver Society of Children’s Centres -

“Congratulations to this year's award recipients! Your talents, skills and dedication provide the kinds of critical experiences and opportunities that will impact children for the rest of their lives.”

Wayne Robertson, chair, Provincial Child Care Council -

“Child-care providers do some of the most important work in our province, and they are not regularly acknowledged for the immense contribution they make to the lives of children, families and communities. The Child Care Awards of Excellence are a good way to recognize some of their accomplishments. The expertise and dedication of the people whose work is being honoured is inspiring.”

Quick Facts:

• There are approximately 5,000 licensed child-care facilities in communities throughout B.C.
• Across the province, there are close to 15,000 early childhood educators and more than 5,000 early childhood educator assistants.
• The Ministry of Children and Family Development will invest $292 million on child-care in 2014-15, a 38% increase since 2000-01.
• Approximately 104,000 licensed child-care spaces are funded in communities throughout the province.
• Through the B.C. Early Years Strategy, the ministry is investing $32 million over the next two years to create up to 2,000 new licensed child-care spaces throughout the province, with the goal of opening up to 13,000 new spaces over the next eight years.
• To make child-care more affordable for families, government is introducing the BC Early Childhood Tax Benefit starting in 2015. The benefit will provide $146 million annually to approximately 180,000 families with children under the age of six years (up to $660 a year per child).

Learn More:

For more information about the 2014 B.C. Child Care Awards of Excellence, visit: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/awards/index.htm

Media Contacts:

Sheldon Johnson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639

BACKGROUNDER 2014

Child Care Award of Excellence Recipients

Fifteen child-care providers, organizations and a municipality have been awarded 2014 Child Care Awards of Excellence in the following categories for their outstanding work on behalf of B.C. children and families. Forty-three licensed child-care facilities have also received a Child Care Legacy Award in recognition of more than 40 years of service to British Columbians.

Provincial: Recognizes licensed early childhood educators or licensed family child-care providers.

• Elitsa Dobreva, Coquitlam
• Christine MacLeod, Delta
• Gordana Ostojic, Surrey

Honourable Mentions

• Mariola Adamska, Surrey
• Helen Gill, Surrey

Innovation: Recognizes individuals and/or organizations providing service innovation in a non-traditional setting. This may include a StrongStart BC Centre, recreation centre program or programs offered by a business.

• Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Corporate Child Care, Burnaby
• Fernie School Age Child Care Ltd., Fernie
• Tsleil-Waututh Child and Family Development Centre, North Vancouver
• YMCA of Northern B.C., Prince George
• Guylaine Boilard, Vancouver
• Barbara Massis, Vancouver

Honourable Mentions

• Westwood Montessori, Coquitlam
• Emily Vera, Richmond

Local Government: Honours local governments that demonstrate excellence in their support of, and current involvement in, the delivery of existing child-care initiatives.

• City of Surrey

Leadership - Business: Honours licensed businesses that provide non-direct child-care service delivery - through external partnerships - to provide exceptional child-care support for employees and their children.

• The Onni Group, Vancouver

Leadership - Emerging Leader: Recognizes licensed early childhood educators who meet a number of criteria, including demonstrating leadership in the child-care community.

• Tina Richardson, Abbotsford
• Lynette Mikalishen, Prince George

Leadership - Lifetime Achievement: Recognizes a child-care professional’s outstanding contributions to enriching the lives of children and families. These contributions may be through innovation, knowledge or new ways to improve professional practice.

• Penny Coates, Victoria
• Toni Hoyland, Victoria

Child Care Legacy Awards: Recognizes licensed child-care facilities that have provided more than 40 years of service.

• Faith Lutheran Preschool, Burnaby
• Grace Lutheran Preschool, Burnaby
• Puddle Splashers, Burnaby
• St. Alban’s Daycare, Burnaby
• Village Daycare Society, Burnaby
• Arcadian Early Learning, Duncan
• Hornby Island Daycare, Hornby Island
• Malaspina Child Care Development Society, Nanaimo
• Malaspina Preschool, Nanaimo
• Lonsdale Creek Daycare Centre (two programs), North Vancouver
• Sunrise Preschool, Parksville
• Brighouse Preschool Centre, Richmond
• Little Friends Preschool, Richmond
• Cloverdale Christian Early Learning, Surrey
• Village Montessori, Surrey
• Terrace Child Development Centre, Terrace
• Berwick Child Development Centre, Vancouver
• Boat Daycare, Vancouver
• Dickens Out of School Care, Vancouver
• Dunbar Memorial Preschool, Vancouver
• Hastings Community Centre Preschool, Vancouver
• Jasper Crescent Day Care (two programs), Vancouver
• Learning Tree, Vancouver
• Little People Parent Participation Preschool, Vancouver
• Marineview Preschool, Vancouver
• Marpole Oakridge Daycare Society, Vancouver
• Montessori Day Care Society, Vancouver
• Pooh Corner Daycare Centre (two programs), Vancouver
• Renfrew Park Community Centre Preschool, Vancouver
• Secord Out of School Care, Vancouver
• St. Michael’s Day Care Centre, Vancouver
• Shannon Day Care (two programs), Vancouver
• Spare Time Fun Centre, Vancouver
• Vancouver Talmud Torah Nursery School, Vancouver
• Wesbrook Parent Participation Preschool, Vancouver
• Fairfield Community Out of School Care, Victoria
• James Bay Community School Society, Victoria
• Metchosin Preschool, Victoria
• West Vancouver Child Development Centre, West Vancouver

Media Contacts:

Sheldon Johnson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Children and Family Development
250 356-1639