MAKE CHILDREN FIRST NETWORK WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we continue to work on creating a community that is child and family friendly, we need to hear from you.

• What is a favourite activity that you and your child do?
• What childcare arrangements do you have?
• What programs do you access in the community?
• Do you feel you can afford food, shelter, supplies for your children?
• What improvements would you like to see in Terrace?

Your responses will help us understand what you as a parent are dealing with every day. This information will help us in planning and overcoming barriers.
All responses are confidential and anonymous.

• Family Survey

You can drop off the survey at the Terrace Public Library. If you complete and return the survey, you are eligible for a free gift. Please email us with your contact info. Thank you for your time.

MARCH IS NUTRITION MONTH

This year's theme is Stay Active. Eat Like a Champion.

Healthy Start for Life is a resource that promotes healthy eating and physical activity among toddlers and preschool age children (2 to 5 years).

ABORIGINAL INFANT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS HAVING A FAMILY FAIR

Sat, February 7, 2009
10 am - 2 pm at Suwilaawks Community School, Clarence Michiel building - 3430 Sparks St., Terrace.
This event is suitable for children 0-3 and their families:

• Infant development
• Health
• Free Healthy Snack
• Free Store
• Elder Storytelling
• Door Prizes
• Gitlaxdax Cultural Dancers performing

For more information call Kermode ECD 250-635-1476

CHILD-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE IN TERRACE

Nov 20 & 21: We are pleased to host Dr. Suzanne Crowhurst Lennard, Director of International Making Cities Livable Council who will help us understand and improve the built environment.

In her books, articles and lectures, she has focused special attention on the impact of the built environment on children’s health and well-being. She believes that if you want to make a city livable for all, you must first make it livable for children.

The built environment of our cities and suburbs is damaging children’s health and limiting their development. Before we can fix the problem we must understand how the built environment is affecting children’s lives. Obesity is just the tip of the iceberg!

This event is hosted jointly by Make Children First Network and the Planning Institute of BC North Chapter.

This event is open to anyone interested in understanding how design impacts our everyday life and what to do to make our communities more livable for all.

Special $10/day student rate.
Both Days: $40.00*     
One day: $25.00*        
Friday Luncheon: $17.00*
* Some subsidies available. Please indicate on the registration form.

Event Poster
Registration Package
Presenter's Bio

Email or phone: 250-635-8761 if you need more info.

ELECTION DAY: WHERE DO PARTIES STAND ON CHILDCARE?

We compiled few useful links for you to help us understand what each party is promising to do about childcare and support for families raising young children. Happy Voting!

Political Parties on Childcare:

• Conservative
• Green
• Liberal
• NDP

Media Overview:
CBC: Helping Families: Where the Parties Stand

Children & Youth Groups:
FirstCall: Federal Election Kit
Code Blue for Child Care
Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC
Child Care Resource and Research Unit
Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada

Adapted from Childcare Advocacy Forum

ANGELA ROY from EXPRESSIONS holds drumming workshops in Terrace with early childhood educators, children and parents thanks to funding, resources and collaboration of Make Children First Network, Skeena CCRR, First Nations Education Centre, Kermode HeadStart and others.

She was able to perform for approximately 300 children, parents and caregivers in two days. She also worked with students from French Immersion and held a community drumming session. This was a great example of community collaboration.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT?

There are different types and levels of foster care; such as becoming a full time foster parent, a respite/relief provider or a volunteer. Speak to a Resource Social Worker today, and find out if you and/or your family would be suitable.

• Invitation Letter
• Information Package

Upcoming Training
WORKSHOPS FOR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS
Strategic Parenting
Smithers: Oct 3 | Terrace: Oct 4
Building Professional Skills
Prince Rupert: Oct 17

STRONG START CENTRE OPENS FOR SECOND YEAR

Suwilaawks StrongStart Centre - free parent-child drop in program open its doors for 5-day week program on Sep 9th. The centre is located in ET Kenney building of Suwilaawks Community School, 4620 Loen Ave.

Visit their website for hours of operation and calendar of activities.

Early Childhood Learning Agency Consultation - local and BC responses

Ministry of Education invited parents, childcare workers, service providers, teachers, business owners, community members (so basically anyone) on their proposal to consider full-school-day pre-kindergarten for children ages three and four, and full-time kindergarten for five-year-olds. Consultation paper available online.

• Local feedback
• FirstCall website: list of other responses
  

EARLY YEAR FAMILY FAIR 2008
Thanks Everyone for a FANTASTIC event!

Photo Gallery 2008
Event Brochure (pdf)

Saturday, May 10, 2008 - Terrace Arena was the place to be on Saturday. Hundreds of families with children from birth to age 6 came to take part in the 3rd annual Early Years Family Fair organized by the Make Children First Network in Terrace. Find out who was all there.

Feedback: We would like to hear from you about what you liked best and what we could improve. We are starting to plan for 2009.

EARLY YEARS STRATEGIC PLANNING DAY

Saturday, April 5th - a planning day facilitated by SPARC BC (Social Planning and Research Council of BC).

This event is open to anyone working in the field of early child development as well as those from other sectors interested in ECD. Parents and other community members that would like to add their important insights can also register.

Registration (Word) | Overview (pdf)

RESULTS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE) STAFFING SURVEY

2008-01-15: The survey was devised by First Call in order to obtain a snapshot of key issues and concerns in the ECE field. The issues addressed in the survey were identified based on conversations within the Early Childhood Development networks about staffing issues and concerns. Read the Survey Results (pdf).

CHILD SAFETY INFORMATION & PRODUCT RECALL INFO

Parents and families care about providing the best possible environment for their children – this includes toys, furniture, books. They care about the education and fun factor, its suitability and safety. It is scary to learn that the trusted products you offer your child suddenly end up on the Recall List. Stay ahead of the game, check your products with this information sheet: Child Safety Information
& Product Recall (pdf).

SUWILAAWKS STRONG START CENTRE OPENING MONDAY JANUARY 7, 2008

2008-01-03: First Strong Start Centre in Terrace eager to welcome new families this coming Monday as it open its doors at Suwilaawks Community School in the ET Kenney Primary Building . Strong Start is a free drop-in program for preschoolers and their families or caregivers. Read more.