CRRU | INTRODUCTION | FEDERAL ROLE |  THE BIG PICTURE | THE LONG VIEW |  NOTES AND REFERENCES 
Early childhood care and education in Canada: Provinces and territories 1998
Early childhood care and education in Saskatchewan
Planning and development Provincial context Legislation History Related services Planning and development Standards and regulations Space statistics Provincial context Child care services Provincial official responsible for child care Legislation Recent developments History Standards and regulations Children with special needs Child care services Key provincial organizations Recent developments Municipal role Administration Funding Standards and regulations Aboriginal child care Children with special needs
Administration SK

The Child Day Care Division in the Department of Social Services administers the legislation and is responsible for initiating new child care services, providing consultation, and developing standards and training. Monitoring, licensing, and consultation are provided regionally through two regional offices and five sub-offices.

 
Municipal role SK
Saskatchewan legislation provides for child care centres administered by municipalities. As of 1998, one centre had been licensed under this provision.

 

  
Child care planning and development SK

A government-appointed Child Care Advisory Board advises on child care issues and may assist in the establishment of long-term program directions. There is neither a formal written government statement of
principles for child care nor a provisional plan.

Currently, new non-profit or commercial centres and family child care homes apply to the province for a license to operate. If the regulations are met, a license is granted. Subsidies and grants are subject to approval and availability.

 
Related services SK


KINDERGARTEN (MINISTRY OF EDUCATION)

Enrollment 1996-97 16,536
Average annual expenditure per student k-gr.12 (1996) $5,740

Kindergarten is available to all 5-year-olds on a part-day basis. Some 3-and 4-year olds have access to a part-day preschool program operated by Saskatchewan Education in some high risk community schools.

In 1997, Saskatchewan Education introduced the part-day preschool program for 3- and 4- year-old children at-risk developed in partnership with boards of education and community groups.

Three- and 4-year-old children may attend the program which must be offered for a minimum of 12 hours per week. Children are referred by public health nurses, school board offices or Social Services. The family may also make a request because of inability to afford other options or the child may meet criteria for special education. The parents must make a commitment to participate in the program. Staff:child ratios are 1:8, with a group size of 16 (one teacher and one assistant). Schools are expected to develop a program based on the kindergarten curriculum and to collect data and information for evaluation purposes.

The goals of the program are:

  • school and life success for children at risk;
  • high quality programming;
  • increased parenting effectiveness; and
  • shared responsibility.

The early intervention activities focus on: fostering social development and self esteem, nurturing educational growth and school success, and promoting language development. Assessments will focus on the child, the learning environment and the teacher's practice. Developmental benchmarks for children 2 years to 6 years of age will be used.

COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN - CAPC
(HEALTH CANADA) (1998)

Total number of CAPC projects 30
Number of projects defined by CAPC as child development/preschool programs 7

ABORIGINAL HEAD START (HEALTH CANADA) (1998)

Number of programs off-reserve 17

In 1998, Aboriginal Head Start was expanded to include services for on-reserve as well as off-reserve communities.

OTHER

In 1997, Saskatchewan Education and Saskatchewan Social Services released La Loche and Prince Albert Preschool Support Pilot Projects: Year Three Report and Program Summary. It describes the implementation and evaluation of two pilot projects established. The projects emphasize self-help, intellectual and social skill development. Medical care, such as immunizations and dental checkups were part of the program.

The report states that most children showed gains on observational checklists, particularly in areas of social and intellectual development, as well as improved health and easier transition to kindergarten. In addition, it notes that parents participated more in upgrading programs, and family function and parental self-esteem also improved.

After the pilot period ended, the programs were licensed as child care programs and were provided with full operational funding, as there were no other mechanisms or alternatives to maintain viability.

 
 SASKATCHEWAN   1   2   3   4    5   6   7
 INTRODUCTION | FEDERAL ROLE  | THE BIG PICTURE | THE LONG VIEW  | NOTES AND REFERENCES
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