Islanders Are Being Asked to Help Set Priorities for Children

A public engagement process is now underway to develop a vision and plan for early learning and child care in Prince Edward Island, says Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.

“Over the past few months, one of government’s major priorities has been to support the smooth transfer of kindergarten to the public education system. Now that most of this planning is in place, we want to turn our attention to early childhood,” said the minister. “Building a stronger and more sustainable early childhood sector in our One Island Community is a major priority of this government. We want to ensure that every child has a good start in life and that every family has good access to high quality child care.”

Kathleen Flanagan has been contracted by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to facilitate the development of a vision for the early childhood sector and a five-year plan to renew the sector after kindergarten is transferred to the school system. A resident of Prince Edward Island, Ms. Flanagan is recognized across the country for her expertise in early childhood development. She is now researching initiatives in other jurisdictions, conducting key informant interviews with early childhood educators and holding focus groups with parents across the Island.

An online survey has been established to gather input from caregivers of pre-school children; parents expecting their first child; grandparents, aunts, uncles and others who are involved in the lives of pre-school children. The survey respondents are being asked what they think is important for children in their pre-school years. The survey is open until February 19 at www.gov.pe.ca/go/earlychildhoodsurvey.