REGINA — May is Early Childhood Education Month. This year, Saskatchewan is recognizing this month by thanking all early childhood educators for the work they do and by highlighting additional investments into the Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP).
ECIP is a free service for families with children aged newborn to six who are experiencing disability or delay. In 2022-23, early childhood intervention programs will receive $5.2 million, an increase of $744,000 over last year to help the 14 Saskatchewan ECIPs address increased demand and waitlists for their services. On average, ECIPs serve approximately 1,200 families each year.
There are other important programs offered around the province that are equally impactful to early childhood education, according to a press release.
KidsFirst, Early Childhood Intervention Programs and prekindergarten also offer valuable services and programming for children and families around the province.
KidsFirst is a Government of Saskatchewan program which focusses on supports for families and building on family strengths. In 2022-23, KidsFirst will receive $16.6 million in funding, an increase of $326,000 over last year. These additional resources will allow KidsFirst regional and targeted programs to better serve vulnerable families. Annually, more than 30,000 children and families in more than 340 communities are involved in KidsFirst programming.
There are also 316 Prekindergarten programs around the province in 88 communities that support approximately 5,000 three- and four-year-olds. These programs support the physical, social-emotional, intellectual and spiritual learning of the students. In the 2022-23 school year, the province will provide $21.7 million for prekindergarten, an increase of $237,000.
"Early childhood educators are essential in supporting early childhood education in Saskatchewan and we are pleased to be taking steps toward creating a Canada-wide childcare system," Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association chairperson Angie Stevenson said. "The work our early childhood educators do in Saskatchewan to create high quality early learning opportunities is invaluable and should be celebrated, not only in May but all year long."
May 11 is Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Appreciation Day. The Ministry of Education urges residents to take a moment to thank the people who provide care to Saskatchewan's littlest learners.
More information on early years and child care programs can be found here at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/family-and-social-support/child-care.
