Inside the Federation

CCCF-AECEQ Co-hosted Conference May 2010

The Association of Early Childhood Educators of Quebec and its co-host, the Canadian Child Care Federation, invite you to the upcoming 31st annual AECEQ Conference, Our Time to Shine taking place on May 27th and 28th, 2010 in Montreal. Featuring Ellen Galinsky: Mind in the Making, Martin Liberio and special guest ET Canada’s Rosey Edeh. Mark your calendars!

The Canadian Child Care Federation is looking for leaders in early learning to participate in a mentoring project in Alberta and Saskatchewan

Working with the Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association and the Alberta Child Care Association we are seeking applicants for two provincial Early Learning Leaders Caucuses – one in each province. For more information please contact Robin McMillan (rmcmillan@cccf-fcsge.ca).

New Occupational Standards Reflect the Work of ECEs in a Changing World

New Occupational Standards from the Child Care Human Resources Sector Council update the first set of Standards, the Occupational Standards for Child Care Practitioners, produced by the Canadian Child Care Federation in 2003.

The revised Standards will reflect the increasing complexity of the job due to rapid changes in the sector. For example, today’s ECEs have increased responsibility, work a lot more closely with families and related professionals, and also have a stronger connection with schools.

The Standards are expected to be widely used by those working as ECEs, as well as employers and trainers. They will be very comprehensive, outlining the detailed tasks in all areas of the ECE core job, as well as tasks that are specific to school age and family child care practitioners. The areas covered include childhood development, programming, health and safety, family and community relations, professional development and record keeping.

A mirror and a tool
ECEs looking at the Standards should be able to recognize their role, and use them to set a standard of quality for themselves.The Occupational Standards will also provide a valuable tool for employers, who may use them for support when dealing with a range of human resource issues.At minimum they will help employers look at job descriptions and make sure they reflect the work,” said Darcelle Cottons, sector council board member and project steering committee member.

The final Standards will be available in April 2010. To order your copy check CCCF's e-store.

When looking for ways to enhance program quality, enrich curriculum, expand understanding of child development and broaden your networks, trust CCCF.

The Canadian Child Care Federation national membership is strong. Join as a National Member today.

• Student $35
• Individual $65
• Organization $90

In addition to linkages with other national and provincial/territorial organizations whose focus is children's health and well-being, our 10,000 members have access to or receive the following:

• Interaction magazine and resource sheets, published biannually
• Interaction.ca e-bulletin, published quarterly
• Voting privileges at the CCCF's annual general meeting
• Representation on CCCF’s Member Council
• Frontline resources when first published
• Network links to early learning and child care issues/events

Building a Foundation for Numeracy is as easy
as 1, 2, 3!

CCCF has joined together with the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network to develop a Resource Kit containing two volumes of practical and research information on building a foundation for numeracy with young children.

The aim of this resource is to provide early learning practitioners with information from recent findings of well-designed research studies on the development and teaching of mathematics. Both volumes can be used as a reference tool in daily practice. This resource will supplement and enhance your previous knowledge as well as hopefully introduce some additional learning. It is designed to review what is known about development of mathematics skills, to identify what needs to be taught, and how it can be taught to ensure that all children succeed. It is a useful professional development resource for those working with young children and a learning resource for those in training to become practitioners.

As a benefit of being a member of the Canadian Child Care Federation, you will be receiving the early years volume for FREE…hot off the press! The expected dissemination date is April 2010. For more information, visit our website at www.qualitychildcarecanada.ca or visit www.cllrnet.ca.

In the Spring Issue of Interaction Magazine

The next issue of Interaction will focus on international perspectives in Child Care and Early Learning. Read about European Union approaches, a cross-cultural Indonesian project with Canada, and explorations in Reggio Emilia, when our CCCF board member visits a centre in Italy. Read about how arts in ECE unites children and cultures around the globe. And look for our new numeracy resources . . . all in Interaction coming out in March.