Transcript Document

BEST START
REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
(2009)
The Best Start Initiative
• Local government, business, service agencies, school
boards, parents and agencies serving children 0 – 6
years plan and deliver early learning and care services
• Chatham-Kent was selected as 1 of 3 demonstration
sites
• Fast tracking 10 year plan to improve children’s
readiness to learn over 3 years
Evidence Based Research
• Leading economists agree - investing in young
children is the best way to stimulate economic growth
• Early education is the most cost effective way to
decrease the number of future unskilled adults
• 90% of the brain develops in the first 3 years of life
• Only 5% of public investments in children occur
during these years
Evidence Based Research
• Development from pre-natal to 6 years sets the stage
for future health, learning and behaviour
• Children developmentally ready to learn
as they enter Grade 1 are more likely to:
 Complete high school,
 Find employment, and
 Contribute to society in other ways
Best Start and the Chamber
• Kids with early learning experiences are 30% more
likely to graduate from high school than those without
• By 2010, only 6% of jobs will require < Grade 12
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce has identified 4
areas to address skills shortages
• One area is “Finding Tomorrow’s Labour Force”
• Best Start can help local business build tomorrow’s
labour force
Best Start Partnerships
• Network comprised of a Steering Committee and a
local Planning Committee
• Membership includes municipal departments, school
boards, various community agencies and parents
• Together identify community needs and develop joint
plans to address needs and service gaps
• Seeking to expand network of partners
Vision & Mission
Vision - A community that enriches the lives of
children and families for a better tomorrow.
Mission - To advance the community by aligning
and mobilizing citizens, business, services and
government around the vision and by working
together and investing in the early years.
7 Strategic Objectives
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Enhance sustainability of Best Start
Enhance parent engagement in Best Start
Enhance communication with stakeholders
Promote universal access to services
Support recruitment and retention of ECE’s
Enhance the use of research
Evaluate local outcomes
Programs & Services
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Licensed Child Care
Public Health Programs (pre and post natal)
Developmental Screenings
Early Learning Program for 2.5 – 4 year olds
Ontario Early Years Programs (early literacy)
Pre-school Speech & Language Program
Programs & Services Cont’d
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Infant Hearing & Blind-Low Vision Programs
Occupational and Physiotherapy
Recreation & Library Programs
Child developmental & mental health services
Junior & Senior Kindergarten
Parent/caregiver educational workshops
Best Start Hubs
• Services are typically delivered from
convenient and easily accessed locations
called Hubs
• Hubs currently exist in Blenheim, Chatham,
Dresden, Ridgetown, Thamesville, Tilbury,
Pain Court, Wallaceburg and Wheatley
Pain Court Francophone Hub
Blenheim Hub (W.J. Baird)
Local Achievements
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815 new licensed child care spaces
15 new JK/SK child care sites in elementary schools
Preschool Early Learning Program (80 spaces)
Approx. 80 new jobs in early child development field
Built Best Start Hubs
Communication, media campaign & 1-866 720-7975
Achievements Cont’d
• Successful engagement of families
• Some agencies have expanded service hours
(nights/weekends)
• Expansion of speech, language and infant hearing
programs
• Enhanced 18 month developmental assessment
• A maternal postpartum depression strategy
Enhanced Outcomes
• More licensed child care spaces and
free ELP for 2.5 - 4 year olds
• Enhanced prevention
(i.e. prenatal education, clinics)
• Earlier identification of
developmental delays
• Earlier intervention
(i.e. speech and language, developmental supports)
• Enhanced school readiness
Early Benchmark Data
Activity
2005-06
2007-08
+/-
# Licensed CC Spaces
885
2096
+ 137 %
# Children in Child Care
906
1,425
+ 57%
# Families Served
680
1,129
+ 66%
# Children in ELP
0
1,127
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152
190
+ 25%
1,202
1,560
+ 30%
79 days
50 days
- 37%
# 0 – 6 Yrs in Receipt of
Special Supports
# 0 – 6 Yrs Served by
Children’s Treatment Center
Avg. Assessment Wait
Goals Moving Forward
• Recognition of Best Start as a long-term
workforce development strategy
• Recognition of Best Start as the ultimate
Poverty Reduction Strategy
• Strengthening partnerships with the business
sector and service clubs to support families
and enhance children’s readiness to learn