BEST START REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY (2009)

The Best Start Initiative Local government, business, service agencies, school boards, parents and agencies serving children 0 – 6 years plan and deliver early learning and care services Chatham-Kent was selected as 1 of 3 demonstration sites Fast tracking 10 year plan to improve children’s readiness to learn over 3 years

Evidence Based Research Leading economists agree - investing in young children is the best way to stimulate economic growth Early education is the most cost effective way to decrease the number of future unskilled adults 90% of the brain develops in the first 3 years of life Only 5% of public investments in children occur during these years

Evidence Based Research Development from pre-natal to 6 years sets the stage for future health, learning and behaviour Children developmentally ready to learn as they enter Grade 1 are more likely to:  Complete high school,  Find employment, and  Contribute to society in other ways

Best Start and the Chamber Kids with early learning experiences are 30% more likely to graduate from high school than those without By 2010, only 6% of jobs will require < Grade 12 Canadian Chamber of Commerce has identified 4 areas to address skills shortages One area is “Finding Tomorrow’s Labour Force” Best Start can help local business build tomorrow’s labour force

Best Start Partnerships Network comprised of a Steering Committee and a local Planning Committee Membership includes municipal departments, school boards, various community agencies and parents Together identify community needs and develop joint plans to address needs and service gaps Seeking to expand network of partners

Vision & Mission Vision - A community that enriches the lives of children and families for a better tomorrow. Mission - To advance the community by aligning and mobilizing citizens, business, services and government around the vision and by working together and investing in the early years.

7 Strategic Objectives Enhance sustainability of Best Start Enhance parent engagement in Best Start Enhance communication with stakeholders Promote universal access to services Support recruitment and retention of ECE’s Enhance the use of research Evaluate local outcomes

Programs & Services Licensed Child Care Public Health Programs (pre and post natal) Developmental Screenings Early Learning Program for 2.5 – 4 year olds Ontario Early Years Programs (early literacy) Pre-school Speech & Language Program

Programs & Services Cont’d Infant Hearing & Blind-Low Vision Programs Occupational and Physiotherapy Recreation & Library Programs Child developmental & mental health services Junior & Senior Kindergarten Parent/caregiver educational workshops

Best Start Hubs Services are typically delivered from convenient and easily accessed locations called Hubs Hubs currently exist in Blenheim, Chatham, Dresden, Ridgetown, Thamesville, Tilbury, Pain Court, Wallaceburg and Wheatley

Pain Court Francophone Hub

Blenheim Hub (W.J. Baird)

Local Achievements 815 new licensed child care spaces 15 new JK/SK child care sites in elementary schools Preschool Early Learning Program (80 spaces) Approx. 80 new jobs in early child development field Built Best Start Hubs Communication, media campaign &

Achievements Cont’d Successful engagement of families Some agencies have expanded service hours (nights/weekends) Expansion of speech, language and infant hearing programs Enhanced 18 month developmental assessment A maternal postpartum depression strategy

Enhanced Outcomes More licensed child care spaces and free ELP for year olds Enhanced prevention (i.e. prenatal education, clinics) Earlier identification of developmental delays Earlier intervention (i.e. speech and language, developmental supports) Enhanced school readiness

Early Benchmark Data Activity / - # Licensed CC Spaces % # Children in Child Care9061, % # Families Served6801, % # Children in ELP01, # 0 – 6 Yrs in Receipt of Special Supports % # 0 – 6 Yrs Served by Children’s Treatment Center 1,2021, % Avg. Assessment Wait79 days50 days- 37%

Goals Moving Forward Recognition of Best Start as a long-term workforce development strategy Recognition of Best Start as the ultimate Poverty Reduction Strategy Strengthening partnerships with the business sector and service clubs to support families and enhance children’s readiness to learn