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POLICY STATEMENT

The purpose of a StrongStart BC early learning centres is to provide school-based, high quality early learning programs for children not yet eligible for kindergarten accompanied by a parent or caregiver, designed to support the success of students when they enter Kindergarten.

RATIONALE

The years between birth and school-age are a critical time in a child’s life. The experiences that children have in the early years influence their future health, well-being, and life-long learning. Investment in children’s early years can positively affect the future lives of British Columbians. Children who have had exposure to language rich environments and play-based early learning experiences are more likely to develop the skills, knowledge and dispositions to support their success in school.

LEGISLATION/ REGULATIONS

Section 1 (1) of the School Act provides a definition of early learning program.

Section 79.2(1)(d) of the School Act indicates that a board must prepare an achievement contract with respect to early learning programs.

Section 86(5) of the School Act indicates that a board may operate an early learning program with the prior agreement of the Minister.

Section 170.1(2)(e) of the School Act allows the Minister to assign a personal education number to a child participating in an early learning program.

Section 171.4(3) of the School Act allows outlines the appointment and duties of superintendent of achievement.

POLICY

StrongStart BC early learning centres should be designed and operated to meet the following standards:

A) Location

• StrongStart BC early learning centres are situated in appropriate, available school space, preferably schools offering Kindergarten.

B) Operation

• Be free of charge.
• Open five days per week for 3-4 hours per day.
• Operate as per district’s school calendar, or throughout the calendar year.
• A parent, family member, or caregiver accompanies the child in the StrongStart BC early learning centre at all times – the service in the StrongStart BC early learning centre is not designated child care. 

C) Programming

• Promote the following areas of children’s development: physical health and well-being, social and emotional development, language and cognitive development and communication skills of   preschool-aged children.
• Use the British Columbia Early Learning Framework and Understanding the British Columbia Early Learning Framework: From Theory to Practice to guide and evaluate the program.
  

• Include the following activities:
• organized activities such as story time, music, singing;
• access to books, art materials, and puzzles;
• play areas that promote creativity and exploration, including individual and group play activities;
• movement and large muscle play activities; and
• healthy snacks that model healthy eating in keeping with the Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools are found on the Ministry of Education’s Healthy Schools website.

• Offer family-friendly environments for parents/caregivers.
• Provide opportunities for parents/caregivers to observe and practice activities that support early learning.

D) Community

• Demonstrate collaboration with community to meet the unique needs of the neighbourhood.
• Provide opportunities for other service providers to connect with parents/caregivers and children in order to provide them with information and services (e.g. public health, libraries)
• Where possible, link parents/caregivers to services offered by health authorities, community agencies and other social service providers (e.g., early screening, libraries, English as A Second Language services, BC Family Resource Programs, child care services, referrals for children who may have developmental or other special needs).
• Identify strategies to reach the most hard to serve families.
• Link and work in partnership with other approved StrongStart BC Early Learning programs in the school district.

E) School districts should ensure that:

• The program is run by a certified Early Childhood Educator (ECE) with a current license to practice or by a person actively enrolled in an approved ECE training program and mentored by an ECE with a current license to practice.
• All facilitator(s) at the StrongStart BC early learning centre have undergone and passed a Criminal Records Check.
• School Principals are well-informed by school district staff about the goals of the StrongStart BC program and are committed to welcoming and contributing to the effectiveness of the program.
• A StrongStart BC early learning centre sign that meets the Ministry standard is posted in a location at the school, or mutually-agreed upon location, and is visible to families.
• The school district complies with the "Communications Protocol Agreement" for StrongStart BC early learning centres between the Ministry of Education and School Districts for all graphics, news releases and announcements.
• A risk management plan is in place for the centre.

PROCEDURES

School districts are responsible for creating and maintaining accurate StrongStart BC data and records.

School districts are required to ensure each child attending a StrongStart BC Centre is assigned a Personal Education Number (PEN). PENs will be assigned to these children using the established PEN request process schools currently use.

School districts are required to use the British Columbia enterprise Student Information System (BCeSIS) to report enrolment and attendance data to the Province.

To do this, school districts must collect enrolment and attendance information about the children attending the centre, including names, birthdates, and gender of children.

School districts are required to submit 2 reports per school year regarding enrolment of children at the centre(s), including the Personal Education Number (PEN) and attendance of each child. The Ministry extracts StrongStart BC attendance data from BCeSIS on following dates:

• January 10 (attendance for September through December)
• July 10 (attendance for January though June)