The Government of Canada supports early childhood development conference

REGINA, June 2, 2005 — Ken Dryden, Minister of Social Development, today announced $43,000 in support of an early childhood development conference to take place in Regina June 2 to 4, 2005.

"The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of physical and educational environments for good early learning and child care," said Minister Dryden. "This conference will help broaden our understanding of the experiences that enrich children's lives and their development."

The funding supports in part the international conference, Plan-It Quality: Environments in Early Learning and Child Care Linking Research, Policy and Practice. Co-hosted by the Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association, the Canadian Child Care Federation and the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development (CEECD), the conference will provide the opportunity for an international dialogue on all aspects of quality environments. Among other topics, the conference will examine the role of quality early learning and child care environments in protecting children's health and safety, supporting their social and emotional development, and stimulating children's cognitive and language learning.

The work of this conference complements the Government of Canada's February 2005 budget commitment to invest $5 billion over five years to enhance and expand high-quality, developmental early learning and child care in collaboration with provinces and territories.

Funding for this project has been provided for in the 2005 existing fiscal framework.

This project was funded by the Social Development Partnerships Programs and has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's administration of its grants and contributions program.

See the backgrounder for more details.

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This news release is available in alternative formats, on request. Call 1-800-788-8282 on a Touch-Tone phone or through a teletypewriter (TTY).

For more information, please contact:

Sarah Bain
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Social Development
(613) 941-0766

Media Relations
Social Development Canada
(613) 941-1110

Web site: www.sdc.gc.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Plan-It Quality: Environments in Early Learning and Child Care Linking Research, Policy and Practice

The conference is organized by the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development (CEECD), the Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association and the Canadian Child Care Federation.

The conference will focus on the quality of early childhood development and care environments. It provides the opportunity for an international dialogue on all aspects of quality environments.

The conference will:

• Highlight the importance of integrated, physical and educational environments
• Encourage educators, service providers, and planners to improve their interventions with children
• Present international examples of quality integrated physical and educational environments.

For more information, please visit the conference website:
http://www.excellence-earlychildhood.ca/home.asp?lang=EN 

Or the conference website:
http://business.accesscomm.ca/plan-itquality/index.htm 

Social Development Partnerships Program

The Social Development Partnerships Program (SDPP) is a grants and contributions program that provides financial support to organizations working in the social non-profit sector. The SDPP addresses the social development and inclusion needs of people with disabilities, children and their families, and other vulnerable or excluded groups.

The program has a mandate to help strengthen organizations in the social non-profit sector and to foster partnerships that advance social goals and enhance the quality of life of Canadians. The program also promotes the generation, dissemination, and application of knowledge, innovative solutions, and best practices.