Early childhood educators in the lakecity are continuing to work on enhancing early childhood education in the Williams Lake area.
Faren Rouse, co-owner/educator of Exploring the Puddle, Early Learning Centre with Joan Lozier, School District 27’s early years co-ordinator recently attended a weekend retreat led by executive directors of the Early Childhood Educators of BC.
The retreat was held in Richmond and included early childhood educators from all around the province.
“We were able to hear what branches are achieving and working toward in their own communities,” Rouse said. “We shared ideas on how to better connect with other early childhood educators and associate professionals in related fields within our region. Fantastic ideas came about, many of which we will hopefully be able to bring to Williams Lake.”
The Williams Lake branch of the organization is currently circulating a petition to have a crosswalk with a signal light established on Mackenzie Avenue at the Comer Street crossing to the Williams Lake River Valley trail access.
“There is not currently a safe route within reasonable walking distance to access the trails on foot,” says Sheilah Nairn co-owner of Exploring the Puddle Early Learning Centre. “Many pedestrians take advantage of the fact that we have such a wonderful, natural environment right in the heart our city but it can often be hazardous to access unless you are in a vehicle.”
She says the crosswalk on Mackenzie at the bottom of Oliver Street to access the Station House Gallery is .6 of a kilometre away from the trailhead and there isn’t a sidewalk on that side of Mackenzie to get to the trailhead.
The local group is also working toward having an early childhood education training program established at Thompson Rivers University in Williams Lake.
At a recent meeting Nairn said the local group also discussed the lack of substitutes and qualified early childhood educators in Williams Lake.
“Currently, in order to become an early childhood educator, students either have to move away from the community or complete online courses,” Nairn said.
“Although online education can be convenient, it fails to offer the same hands-on learning that is offered through other institutions.”
The Williams Lake branch of the Early Childhood Educators of BC meets once a month rotating meetings to the various child care facilities in the community.
Meetings include a group discussion and a tour of the host facility, Nairn says.
At one of the recent meetings, she said Robyn Vermeulen, the local daycare licensing officer, answered questions and concerns around how to provide children with opportunities for taking risks as part of their development in a safe way and in keeping with licensing restrictions.
In order to encourage more participation in the local early education organization she says they have also created a closed Facebook group for all local early childhood educators. Information on meetings, workshops and special events will be posted on the site, Nairn said.
“Hopefully this will involve a greater number of educators and increase our collective voice as educators,” Nairn says.
The group meets during the first week of each month.
For more information about the local branch of the Early Childhood Educators of BC. contact Faren Rouse at faren@exploringthepuddle.ca. or Sheilah Nairn at sheilah@exploringthepuddle.ca or call 250-398-8410.