Research

The research is in and confirm the early years are critical years for learning and development.
2008 ECDA parent Survey: Needs, Expectations and Perceptions of Parents
In the summer of 2008, the ECDA conducted a survey of 247 parents through their member Centres to determine the current use, needs, and expectations of parents.
Survey respondents indicated that the primary reasons for using childcare included:

  • Being unable to care for their children while at work (95%),
  • Wanting them to be socially prepared for school (64%),
  • Believing that they (the child) enjoyed the experience (60%)
  • Wanting them to be academically prepared for school (58%)

Provincial licensing was seen as important by 189 of the respondents (93%). The qualitative data revealed that respondents who use licensed care did so because of a sense of improved quality, reliability, structure, and safety.
Eighty-two percent (82%) of respondents indicated that all families should have access to free childcare that provides for a quality educational experience during their early years.
When asked what factors would increase their satisfaction with their current childcare arrangements, respondents indicated the following:

  • Accessibility (including cost, hours, age at which children are accepted, and storm days)
  • Quality and diversity of educational activities
  • Improved children to Educator ratio
  • Improved communication between staff and parents
  • Improved physical environment
  • More trained and adequately compensated Early Childhood Educators

Survey respondents who use unlicensed care indicated that they did so for things such as convenience, an appreciation for a more ‘home like’ environment, and a comfort level with the person who was caring for their child.
 
Understanding the Early Years (UEY) - A Community Research Project - Click Here

 
Eating Between the Lines
Eating Between the Lines (EBTL) is an early literacy, healthy eating program for young children.
It has been developed in partnership with UPEI's Faculty of Educaton and The Faculty of Family and Nutritional Sciences. The Program has been developed and tested in Child Care facilities in Prince Edward Island. The goal of this website iss to provide access to materials and resources to educators who wish to implement to EBTL program in their learning envionment.
Early Literacy: Basic Concepts and Teaching Principles
Eat Read Play
Eating Between the Lines hopes to educate young learners about the importance of sound nutrition principles while gently focusing on early literacy. For more information and great at home activities visit www.ebtl.org
 
Supporting Children to Develop Friendships
for brochure visit http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/pages/PDF/Peer_relationsANGmcI.pdf
For Our Educators, A study of the Early Childhood Education Sector of PEI (2002)