GOVERNMENT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR EARLY LEARNING AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES

Education Minister Ken Krawetz today announced almost $500,000 in grants to the child care sector across the province to improve learning environments for children in the recently expanded child care centres and homes and new Prekindergarten programs.

"Research tells us a learning environment that is responsive to a child's interests will dramatically affect a child's learning," Krawetz said. "The environment grant will assist the early learning and child care sector to enhance learning environments to improve our children's experiences in these centres."

Last year was the first year of the grant and it was provided to existing licensed child care centres and homes, Prekindergarten programs, Early Childhood Intervention Programs and KidsFirst targeted sites. This year the grant will be offered to 78 licensed child care centres and homes that recently received new spaces, and 25 of the new Prekindergarten programs, to purchase high quality resources, materials, equipment and furniture to enhance learning for children and their families. New Prekindergarten programs which are located in an established site will not receive the grant.

These funds will be allocated to:
• Licensed child care centres at $240/licensed space for new spaces;
• Expanded Ministry approved Prekindergarten programs at $7,000/classroom; and
• New licensed family child care homes and group family child care homes at $1,000/home.

"Earlier this spring the Ministry of Education released Play and Exploration: Saskatchewan Early Learning Program Guide that emphasized the importance of quality environments to enhance children's learning. This funding will help ensure our children's learning opportunities are maximized," Krawetz said.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Jacquie Mclean
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5609