Nova Scotia Early Childhood Development 2005–2008 Progress Report

From the Introduction

ECD Progress DeportThe Province of Nova Scotia is pleased to present its Early Childhood Development (ECD) 2005–2008 Progress Report. This fulfills our commitment to report to the public on investments made as part of the 2000 Early Childhood Development Communiqué (ECDI), and the 2003 Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Childcare (ELCC). As part of the 2005 Early Learning and Child Care Agreement-in-Principle, Nova Scotia has developed a 10-year Early Learning and Child Care Plan. This report includes an overview of investments made to enhance early learning and child care in the province as part of the Early Learning and Child Care Plan.

Federal funding received by the province as part of the ECDI/ELCC was $20,014,000 in 2005–2006; $22,044,575 in 2006–2007; and $19,645,146 in 2007–2008; while federal funding received as part of the ELCC Agreement (Child Care Plan) was $2,147,993 in 2006–2007 and $17,633,917 in 2007–2008. The total investment of federal funds as of March 31st, 2008 is $135,245,165. This represents expenditures incurred from all three federal ECD funding agreements from April 2001–March 2008.

The 2007 Child Well-Being Report included in this report, fulfills our commitment to report to our citizens on the health and well being of our children. Indicators of well being for children (as provided by the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth) are provided in the following areas: physical health, early development, safety and security, family and community.

This report provides an overview of the progress made by the province from April 2005 to March 2008 in four ECD action areas:

  • Promote healthy pregnancy, birth and infancy;
  • Improve parenting and family supports;
  • Strengthen early childhood development, learning and care; and
  • Strengthen community supports.

Program information and indicators are provided for each program area (see Addendum: Federal Principles and Program Indicators for further information). An overview of enhancements to early learning and child care as part of the Early Learning and Child Care Plan is also provided.

The Province of Nova Scotia has developed programs to support children and their families through educational programs for parents and children, family-centered inclusive programming, employment support and child care subsidies. Nova Scotia’s child care sector has also been supported through training initiatives, infrastructure and program enhancement grants. Nova Scotia has developed a Framework for Social Prosperity; the integration of social policy, social sustainability and social prosperity are key elements of this Framework. The programs and initiatives that follow support the Framework’s goals of: health, well-being, lifelong learning, access and inclusion, citizenship development engagement, and safety and security. Together these programs and initiatives help build upon and strengthen the foundation of early childhood development services in the Province of Nova Scotia.

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