ARCHIVED—Exemplary Practices 2002-2003
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Welcome
In May 2003, 31 early childhood educators were honoured as the first recipients of the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.
This exciting occasion reflects the growing recognition by Canadians and their governments of the importance of the early years of children's lives. It also complements the work that the Government of Canada has undertaken with its partners in recent years to improve and expand the services and supports available to young children and their families. This includes work through initiatives such as the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Early Childhood Development Agreement, concluded in 2000, the federal strategy on early childhood development for Aboriginal children, announced in 2002, and the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Multilateral Framework on Early Learning and Child Care, concluded in 2003.
Despite growing understanding of the importance of the development and learning of young children, and the critical role of talented and dedicated early childhood educators, there has been no national mechanism in place to recognize the work of these educators.
The Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education answer this need. The awards build on the success of the Prime Minister's Awards for Teaching Excellence, which recognize the achievements of elementary and secondary teachers. The new awards honour outstanding and innovative early childhood educators who work in preschools, daycare centres, family day homes and other early childhood education settings across Canada.
In particular, the recipients are recognized for their excellence in fostering the early development and socialization of the children in their care, and for helping build the foundation children need to meet life's challenges. The first 31 recipients were chosen from among more than 350 applicants.
Of those 31 recipients, 10 (five individual educators, a team of two and a team of three) received Certificates of Excellence. The remaining 21 recipients received Certificates of Achievement.
The Certificate of Excellence recipients came to Ottawa to receive their certificates from the Prime Minister and participate in best practices sessions. The Certificate of Achievement recipients were honoured in their communities.
This publication, Exemplary Practices, is the product of the Certificate of Excellence recipients' time together in Ottawa. It contains their thoughts about many of the issues they see affecting early childhood education today. Recipients also share countless ideas - big and small - for activities and programs that other educators may adapt to their settings. You will also find contact information for all the recipients, should you wish to get in touch with them.
To learn more about the program, the recipients and how they were chosen, and to get a copy of the nomination guidelines, go to the Prime Minister's Awards website.
Features
Features section of the Exemplary Practices 2002-2003
Articles
Articles section of the Exemplary Practices 2002-2003
