Submitted –
BC Government Caucus
News Release
Sept. 2, 2015
Plecas visits Abbotsford Early Years Centre
ABBOTSFORD – Abbotsford-South MLA Darryl Plecas paid a visit to one of Abbotsford’s latest family facilities, the Abbotsford Early Years Centre at Sweeney Neighbourhood Centre.
Hosted by Abbotsford Early Childhood Committee Partners, the centre will give families of children aged 0-6 access to a range of early learning, health and family services in one convenient location.
“We want to ensure that young children get the support they need to reach their full potential,” said Plecas. “Convenient access for families to services and support will help their children learn, grow, and thrive.”
These services will include StrongStart, an early learning drop-in program that helps children prepare for Kindergarten through play-based activities including story-telling, music and art.
“Support for young learners has been a priority for the Abbotsford Board of Education over the past several years, and our involvement in this new Early Years’ Centre reflects the continuing commitment we have for childhood development and support,” said Board of Education Chair Cindy Schafer, at the centre’s official opening today. “We are pleased to work with community partners to make this resource available to parents in our district.”
Other services include child care resource and referral, an Aboriginal parent-tot drop in program, a family resource program, as well as a literacy program.
Learn more:
B.C. Early Years Strategy:
www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_childhood/pdf/FamiliesAgenda_EarlyYearsStrategy_web.pdf
Provincial Office for the Early Years: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_years/index.htm
Early childhood development programs funded through the Ministry of Children and Family Development: www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_childhood/index.htm
Early learning programs funded through the Ministry of Education, including
full-day kindergarten and StrongStart BC: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/early_learning/
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Contact:
Ashley Stewart
Communications Officer
BC Government Caucus
250-387-8589