Key Initiatives and Collaborations
Alberta Early Years Conference
The Alberta Early Years Conference is presented by representatives of more than twenty Edmonton and area agencies and organizations concerned with the healthy development of children under the age of six. Success By 6 supports the professional development opportunity by providing financial management in partnership with United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.
Aligning Early Learning and Care Services
This initiative commits to working cooperatively with community partners to ensure that quality early childhood services are coordinated to support parents, and by working together to enrich children’s lives and help them attain their full potential.
On behalf of the early childhood sector, Success By 6® received grant funding from the Early Learning Branch of Alberta Education for the Early Years Continuum Project.
The three year project that began April 2010 is working with one rural location in northern Alberta and three urban locations in Edmonton to identify and strengthen early learning and care continuums for families with young children.
Each location is distinctly different in its demographic makeup and service levels. The project focuses on the strengths of existing community services. Families and service providers work together to identify gaps in early learning and care services, and to build collaborations.
One component of this project was to produce a literature review. See Resource section for the Early Years Continuum Project Literature Review.
Early Childhood System Framework for Edmonton
In order to develop an early childhood system that provides a comprehensive and cohesive spectrum of services for children and families, Success By 6 has partnered with other organizations to identify the current state, to identify gaps or barriers, and to develop action plans to address any needs in order to attain the desired state of early childhood system.
Muttart Foundation/Success By 6® Forum
The Muttart Foundation and Success By 6®, hosted a series of province-wide forums during 2011. These forums focused on the funding and delivery of early childhood education and care for children 0 to 6 years in Alberta.
The results of these discussions have been captured in a summary documents entitled: In the Best Interests of Children and Families: A Plenary Discussion of Early Childhood Education and Care.
To access other early childhood information, visit the Muttart Foundation website.
National Child Day is a reminder of our shared commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. National Child Day is a day to increase awareness of the Convention and a day to celebrate and stand up for our children. It is an opportunity to reflect on how we nurture the lives, growth, and development of children and youth in Edmonton.
Increasing Quality and Professionalism in Early Learning and Care
Success By 6 Co-Chairs the Early Learning and Care Advisory Committee - Grant MacEwan College and sits on the Board of the Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement. Both provide opportunities to continually increase the professionalism of Early Childhood Educators, and support programs to increase the quality of opportunities for young children in early learning and care environments in Alberta.
Success By 6® Funded Programs
Books for Children
This program introduces books to young children and discusses with parents the importance of books and oral language. It supports all families in developing early literacy and language experiences and promotes healthy relationships. Visiting local libraries, introducing other community resources and the sharing of parents’ favorites books, songs and rhymes help to decrease isolation and develop friendships for both the parents and children.
Early Science Discovery Program
TELUS World of Science in Edmonton through its Early Science Discovery Program provides preschool aged children with science discovery learning. The goal of the program is to foster excitement for science and life-long learning.
Local Literacy Classroom On Wheels – Literacy C.O.W.
A mobile Classroom On Wheels, better known as the Literacy C.O.W., which is operated by the Centre for Family Literacy, visits low income, high density housing areas in Edmonton. The program facilitator models literacy activities and encourages parents to share books with their babies and preschoolers. Families are also encouraged to borrow books free of charge each time they visit the bus.
Alberta Prairie Literacy Classroom on Wheels – Alberta Prairie C.O.W.
Since 2004, Success By 6 has facilitated a funding partnership among United Ways throughout Alberta to support the ongoing delivery of the Alberta Prairie C.O.W. program. This bus is a friendly space for parents and children ages 0-6 years to learn and explore new ways of incorporating literacy activities in their daily lives. At the invitation of local literacy groups, the C.O.W. bus travels around rural and small urban Alberta communities participating in locally planned events. Literacy facilitators provide information and strategies on early literacy development and leave behind 50 new books to add to local resources for families with young children.
Preschool Learn To Skate and Swim
To support the integration of children into Edmonton society, the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers has coordinated recreation activities for children new to Canada ages 3-6 years. The program has provided skating and swimming lessons. The program has also expanded to include a mega-sports program through the YMCA as well as both a cultural dancing and a music program in partnership with the Multi-Cultural Health Brokers Co-operative.
