First Nations Early Childhood Development

The BC First Nations Early Childhood Development Council (FNECDC)

The BC First Nations Early Childhood Development Council (FNECDC) was created in 2007 when stakeholders discussed the development of a provincial BC First Nations ECD Agenda and Action Plan aimed at improving the well-being of First Nations children from prenatal to six years.

The FNECDC has been endorsed by BC First Nations leadership, and FNESC has been assisting with the organization of FNECDC meetings and facilitating the initial activities. On March 24, 2010, more than 40 organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to improve Early Childhood Development opportunities for First Nations learners.

Memorandum of Understanding

To facilitate a province-wide ECD discussion process, the FNECDC has developed a document that describes proposed strategies and approaches to advance FNECD in BC.

A set of questions is provided in the appendix, and all interested individuals and organizations are welcome to provide feedback.

BC First Nations Early Childhood Development Framework

Framework Summary

To assist with the feedback process, tools for community leaders and frontline staff and educators are provided. They include a letter that introduces the Framework, a Framework Summary, and other resources.
First Nations Leadership ECD Kit
Frontline Staff and Educators ECD Kit

For more information, please contact the FNECDC Chair Tyrone McNeil at tyrone@fnesc.ca

Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Reinvestment Initiative

Call for Applications for Funding

The First Nations Early Childhood Development Council (FNECDC) is actively engaged as part of the First Nations, Urban Aboriginal, and Métis Early Childhood Development Steering Committee in seeking Applications from eligible communities and organizations which deliver early childhood development (ECD) programs to First Nations, Urban Aboriginal, and Métis children zero to six years and their families in BC.

In partnership with the Ministry of Children and Family Development and its Host Agency, the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, the Committee is mandated to facilitate and steward a collaborative process for the distribution of the Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Reinvestment Initiative for fiscal year 2010-2011.

General Project Enhancement grants in the amount of $7,500 are now available. These grants are part of the provincial Aboriginal Early Childhood Development Reinvestment Initiative and can be used for a number of ECD programming and services. Your centre/organization/community may apply for more than one project grant.

Please carefully review all the documents below before completing the application. Questions can be forwarded to the First Nations Early Childhood Development Council Coordinator jfox@fnesc.ca