The Teen Education and Motherhood Services (TEAM) Infant and Toddler Care programs, offered through Beacon Community Services in Brentwood Bay, have won a 2018 Child Care Award of Excellence for Leadership in Inclusive Practices.

In addition to providing child care and support services to young parents at Stelly’s Secondary school and at the Individual Learning Centre, an alternative secondary school, the infant and toddler care programs provide exceptional care to children with extra support needs. TEAM child care centres are regularly visited by medical and developmental support teams from the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health to help adapt the environment to benefit all learners.

“TEAM is receiving one of this year’s provincial awards for their leadership in adapting their programming to embrace the unique needs of each child,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “Whether staff need to receive training in tube-feeding techniques, or the centre needs to install an asphalt pathway so children with mobility issues can play outside, TEAM helps make sure that every child can participate.”

After an open call for nominations, the TEAM program is one of the 10 child care providers in British Columbia that have been selected to receive Child Care Awards of Excellence in five categories: provincial, Indigenous, innovation, partnerships and leadership.

“TEAM is working with the Saanich school district and the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health to provide safe and supportive care to a wide range of children with different abilities,” said Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. “Parents who use TEAM services can rest easier, knowing that staff will do everything in their power to support the needs of every child in their care.”

Quick Facts:

• The Child Care Awards of Excellence recognize the exceptional contributions that early childhood educators, licensed child care providers, organizations and local governments make throughout British Columbia.
  • Award recipients are nominated by peers, parents and local governments.
  • The ministry received 66 nominations for this year’s awards.
• The Leadership Award for Inclusive Practices recognizes an early learning and care professional (ECL), or a team that works in a child care setting, and demonstrates excellence in providing supports to children with extra support needs and their families.
• Beacon Community Services has been providing inclusive child care since 2016 through the TEAM program.
  • The program’s main goal is to support young parents who are working toward their high-school graduation or balancing paid work with family life.
  • Services are delivered through partnerships with School District 63 and the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health.

Learn More:

View photos from the ceremony here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/31002409068/in/datetaken-public/

For more information about child care in British Columbia, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare

For more information about the Beacon Community Services, Teen Education and Motherhood Programs, visit: https://beaconcs.ca/services-programs/children-youth-families/child-care/