"Giving Children the Best Start: The Early Years is an opportunity for Nova Scotians to rally behind their children, to build a seamless and comprehensive continuum of supports from the prenatal period through to elementary schooling. This is the most effective means to ensure all children have an even-handed opportunity to succeed in school and in life. It is the smartest investment in its own prosperity that Nova Scotia can make."
-- Hon. Margaret McCain
Excerpt from Nova Scotia Premier's Office news release:
The province is consulting Nova Scotians on a plan to ensure young children are getting the support they need to develop to their full potential.
Premier Darrell Dexter released today, May 25, a discussion paper to guide consultation with interested groups and families. The premier also appointed a nine-member advisory council, co-chaired by Anne McGuire, CEO, IWK Health Centre, and Mary Lyon, professor emeritus, Mount Saint Vincent University.
"Nova Scotia is doing many things right, but there is room to improve how early years programs and services are delivered," said Premier Dexter. "This consultation is the first step toward an innovative and integrated approach to early childhood development that offers families quality, accessible and more affordable services."
The discussion paper, Giving Children the Best Start, and a survey are available online. Nova Scotians can share their views until June 22. Regional meetings are also scheduled with partner organizations and groups of parents and families.
The first six years are considered the most significant in a child's development. Early years programming helps children develop and learn and helps parents support that development.
According to the recent Early Years Study 3, Nova Scotia is lagging behind other provinces in providing a co-ordinated approach to deliver such programs.
To read the discussion paper, complete the online survey, or learn more about the advisory council, visit www.novascotia.ca/earlyyears.
To read full news relase, click here.
