April 27, 2023
Governments of Canada and Manitoba Announce Partnership with Morrow Avenue Day Care Inc. to Implement Abecedarian Approach at Rene Deleurme Centre
– – –$2.1-Million Investment over Two Years will Increase Diversity, Inclusion and Quality of Care for Young Manitobans Using Child-Care Facilities: Gould, Ewasko
The Manitoba government is partnering with Morrow Avenue Day Care Inc. to implement the Abecedarian approach at the René Deleurme Centre (RDC), federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Karina Gould and Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko announced today.
“We believe that every child in Canada deserves access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care,” said Gould. “This investment will help provide access to high-quality care that gives children the best possible start in life.”
“Child care is one of the most essential services that Manitobans access every day, and the Abecedarian approach has proven to be beneficial for children in so many ways, especially those who experience multiple risk factors in their lives,” said Ewasko. “This investment helps to further our government’s commitment to increase diversity, inclusion and quality of care for young Manitobans who use child-care facilities.”
In August 2021, the governments of Canada and Manitoba announced $1.2 billion for the Canada-Manitoba Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement 2021-2026 to significantly improve early learning and child care for all children in Manitoba. Under this agreement, the Manitoba government commits to investing in the expansion of the Abecedarian approach in four child-care facilities, benefitting up to 240 children.
The Abecedarian approach is an evidence-based early childhood intervention that improves developmental and learning outcomes for children in high-risk communities. This approach emphasizes strong language skills as the core of early learning, allowing for greater cognitive, social and emotional development in children, as well as improved reading and math skills. The curriculum of the Abecedarian approach is rooted in a strong set of teaching and learning strategies implemented through intentional adult-child interactions.
The Lord Selkirk Park child-care program in Winnipeg was the first in Canada to offer the Abecedarian approach, beginning in 2011-12. This program has supported the unique demographics of the residents of Lord Selkirk Park, which has an 80 per cent Indigenous population, by successfully demonstrating improved developmental outcomes, including school readiness.
Staff training and mentorship are vital components of implementing the Abecedarian approach, which will be provided by Red River College Polytechnic, Ewasko noted.
The RDC is the first of four child-care programs to be selected for the expansion of the Abecedarian approach. Of the total $2.1-million investment for this initiative, the RDC will receive $662,000, with approximately 100 children expected to benefit. An additional $433,000 will be provided to Red River College Polytechnic for training, mentorship and research to support this initiative. An expression of interest was recently held to identify the remaining three sites, which will begin offering the program in 2023-24.
Similar to Lord Selkirk Park, the RDC is located in a higher-needs community with a high newcomer population. The Zonal Outreach Newcomer Engagement Program also provides targeted support for newcomers in this community. The RDC was selected because it provides on-site settlement and parenting programs for those in need, health and housing referrals, and robust community supports that align fully with the Abecedarian approach.
For more information on the Manitoba government’s child-care program, visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/education/childcare/.
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