June 25, 2014

It was no ordinary last day of school before the summer break in this First Nation.

When former Prime Minister Paul Martin, Margaret Norrie McCain and other honoured guests pulled up at Hillside elementary school, they were welcomed by students, many wearing their traditional regalia. The day was a celebration of the students’ success and a thank you to the Martin Aboriginal Initiative and the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation Inc. for supporting integrated early years programming and culturally-based literacy instruction.

Over the 5-year project the students’ academic achievement scores in reading and writing increased significantly ...

April 10, 2014

The Harris Centre has partnered with the Jimmy Pratt Family Foundation and the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation to facilitate a year-long discussion about early childhood education in Newfoundland and Labrador.

To access video from The Harris Centre Click Here.

To access Workshop video's from The Jimmy Pratt Family Foundation Click Here.

To access information about upcoming events Click Here.

April 8, 2014

Margaret McCain joins Kathy LeGrow, chair of the Jimmy Pratt Foundation, at Hot Soups and Cool Jazz. The annual gala brings St. John's top chefs and artists together to raise funds for local charities.

Government of Nova Scotia, Education and Early Childhood Development
April 7, 2014

Excerpt: "Early Years Centres in three communities are now providing families with more access to services and supports for young children.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey and Margaret McCain, chair of the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation, officially opened the province's first early years centres today, April 7, at Rockingstone Heights School, the site for the Halifax Regional School Board's centre.

"Giving children the best start in life is paramount as we respond to the changing needs of today's families, especially ...

April 4, 2014

The Chronicle Herald, by Margaret Norrie McCain

Excerpt: "Across Canada, it is a familiar scene: parents lined up in the cold to get their children into a preferred slot at a preschool. Whether motivated by a desire to give their child a head start for school or the need for care so they can work, the challenge is the same — too many children for too few good spots.

But in Nova Scotia, the scene is changing. The province is showing how schools can fill the breach by opening Early Years Centres; places offering early learning for four-year-olds ...