First Call’s ECD Roundtable

Early Childhood Learning Agency Consultation

First Call and a number of our partners have participated in the Early Childhood Learning Agency consultation on all-day kindergarten for 3-5 year olds in BC, which took place June to August 2008. The Early Childhood Learning Agency release their report on expanding early learning in April 2009 - it is available here. To find out more about the Early Childhood Learning Agency and download the government's consulation paper, visit this web site.

Consultation responses available for download:
First Call
Early Childhood Educators of BC
BC Government and Service Employees’ Union
Vancouver Coastal Health
BC Council for Families
Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC
Campbell River Aboriginal Infant Development Program Networking Group
Child Care Advocacy Forum
BC Recreation and Parks Association
Surrey Make Children First
BC Healthy Child Development Alliance

New ECD Resources

Early Childhood Education and Care: Next Steps (2009)
Report from the Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.

First Call's Response to Early Childhood Learning Agency Consultation Paper: Expanding Early Learning in British Columbia for Children Aged 3-5

Early Childhood Development in BC: First Call's Framework for Action (Revised 2008)
This paper highlights the research, policy and advocacy links to Early Childhood Development and describes the five components of First Call's ECD basket framework.

An Overview of Initiatives Affecting Early Childhood Development
Updated September 2008. This compilation provides an overview of recent major initiatives that are affecting Early Childhood Development (ECD) in British Columbia, Canada. Most comments are excerpts from the relevant web sites. This is a work in progress as the initiatives are continually changing.

Social Inclusion for At-Risk Children and Their Families
A partnership between the Human Early Learning Partnership and Infant Development Program of BC, this project aims to better understand the early childhood developmen of at-risk children.

BC Context for Child Care in the Face of Corporate Intrusions and Government Obstinacy (2008)
First Call Provincial Coordinator Adrienne Montani's speaking notes from her presentation at the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC's Annual General Meeting.

Early Childhood Education Staffing Survey Results (2008)
In October/November 2007, First Call conducted a survey of Early Childhood Educators in BC.  The results of this survey demonstrate that services to young children and families will continue to be in crisis until both levels of government recognize the need, and commit to building an integrated, planned and adequately funded system for early learning and child care in BC.
• Media Release

Tracking the One Time Only Funding Grants
Updated July 2007. First Call has compiled a summary of one time funding grants from the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Ministry of Education for 2006/2007.

Cuts to Child Care: Impacts and Actions
This January 2007 document is a compilation of resources and advocacy materials from First Call and our partners in response to the massive cuts to child care funding.

Early Childhood Development Presentation Toolkit
This presentation and meeting kit has been developed to assist you when speaking to decision-makers and other influential groups and individuals about the importance of the early years and the need for community-based family and early childhood education and care services that are supported by effective social and fiscal policies. Available to download as a zip file, or contact First Call to receive a hard copy. s