Community Based Development Projects

CCCNS continues to address the needs and priorities addressed by the sector through several provincial and national projects. These include:

• Linking Licensing to Quality Child Care: In 2004-2005, with funding from Social Development Partnerships of Human Resources Development Canada, Child Care Connection Nova Scotia and the Provincial and Territorial Directors of Child Care/ Early Childhood Development Services are examining ways that provincial/ territorial governments are initiating and supporting activities which enhance regulated child care programs. The project will result in development of materials and resources that will clarify aspects of the licensing process for licensees. The project began in December 2003, and will run until March 2006. For more information on this project, contact Child Care Connection Nova Scotia at (902) 423-8199 or 1-800-565-8199 (Atlantic Canada), or e-mail us at info@cccns.org.
• A Best Practice Framework for Licensing Child Care Facilities in Canada: Child Care Connection Nova Scotia and the Provincial and Territorial Directors of Child Care/ Early Childhood Development Services explored the role of regulation within a framework that supports good outcomes for children. Through consultations with licensing professionals and licensees, the project has developed a job description and competency profile, identified training requirements, and developed training modules for complaint investigation and enhancement skills for licensing professionals. This project has developed a framework that includes both government regulation (licensing standards) and sector self regulation (standards of practice), identifying the roles each play in ensuring good outcomes for children. Funding was provided by Social Development partnerships of Human resources Development Canada. The resulting materials are available at the Child Care Connection Nova Scotia office.
• Toward a Best Practices Framework for Licensing Child Care in Canada, a study of the practice of licensing child care facilities in the provinces and territories. Research partner was the Provincial and Territorial Directors of Child Care Group. Funding partner: Child Care Programs of Human Resources Development Canada.
• A study of the Licensed Operator (Owners and Boards) of Child Care Facilities in Canada, a study of the incorporation and day care act legislation pertaining to the role of the Licensed Operator. A best practices model was developed and resources produced. Research partner: Tammy McCormick Ferguson, Early Childhood Community Development Centre, St Catharines, ON. Funding partner: Child Care Programs of Human Resources Development Canada. A web page of resources for owners and boards was developed as part of the project.
• Mentoring in Field Practice of ECE Training Programs, utilized a community based development approach to implement the Partners In Practice mentoring model into field practice and child care organizations. A workbook was developed and piloted. Plans that were developed in the workbook pilot were implemented and evaluated. Research partners: Carmella Singleton, College of the North Atlantic ECE program; Allison Soave, Niagara College of applied arts, ECE Program; and Tammy McCormick Ferguson, Early Childhood Community Development Centre, St Catharines, ON. Funding partner: Child Care Programs of Human Resources Development Canada.
• Partners In Practice: Successful Canadian Mentoring Programs, a project researching ways to support the mentoring process in child care. Research is being conducted at three sites, Niagara, St. John's and Halifax. Administers the whole project, conducts research at the Halifax site, builds the model and writes in collaborating with the project research team. Research partners: Carmella Singleton, College of the North Atlantic ECE program; Allison Soave, Niagara College of applied arts, ECE Program; and Tammy McCormick Ferguson, Early Childhood Community Development Centre, St Catharines, ON. Funding partner: Child Care Programs of Human Resources Development Canada.
• Child Care Substitute Youth Internship Project: Secretary of State for Training & Youth, Canada Employment of Human Resources Development- 1996/97. Conceptualized, designed and operationalized the project, including instruction modules, evaluation systems and processes, scheduling, coordination of education, practice and bridge curricula, liaison with Canada Employment and community agencies. Funding partner: Youth Secretariat and Canada Employment.
• Child Care Administrator Certification Pilot. Conceptualized, designed and operationalized the project, including instruction modules, evaluation systems and processes and scheduling. Oversaw the development and operationalizing of a data collection component that will be the foundation for the establishment of standards. Funding partner: Child Care Programs of Human Resources Development Canada.
• Child Care Administrator Credentialing Development Paper, 1996/97. Research into the credentialing processes and work descriptions of child care administrators in the provinces and territories. Paper includes what exists, what is missing and possibilities and realities for a national child care administrator credentialing system. Funding partner: Child Care Programs of Human Resources Development Canada.
• Child Care Professional Project: This three year project was to explore what vehicles and structures need to be in place for child care to be recognized as a profession. The findings are documented in Child Care...Becoming Visible, a booklet summarizing the accomplishments of the three year professional project including a code of ethics; career structure; a model of the child care delivery system in Nova Scotia; accreditation principles; and the Child Care Professional Association Development Society. Funding partner: Child Care Programs of Human Resources Development Canada .
• Challenge-Summer Employment and Experience Program: Canada Employment. Needs Assessment; Salary & Working Conditions Survey; Survey of Non Profit Child Care Centres; Resource and Referral System for families seeking Child Care; Code of Ethics for Licensed Operators- Owners & Boards of Directors; Inventory of child care administrator professional development opportunities, value of child care work, and Child Care Referral service on the Internet. Funding partner: Canada Employment.
• Anti-Bias Project- NS Day Care Services, 1993-1995- two year project to develop strategies for child care personnel to provide non-biased programs to children. Anti-bias is related to race, religion, ability, gender, ethnicity, class, culture and sexual orientation. Included in the project were workshops, resources and newsletter articles addressing racism, developing anti-racism policies, inclusion, multiculturalism, anti bias education; and acceptance of diversity. Funding partner: Prevention & Child Care Services, NS Department of Community Services.
• Community Health Promotion Grant of Nova Scotia Department of Health, 1993. "Managing Stress In Child Care", a tool designed using the Delphi technique to identify the causes of stress in child care in Halifax.