Latest News & Stories

Excerpt: "Albertans deserve world-class education for their families now and in the future. Budget 2025 provides an operating expense budget of $9.9 billion in 2025-26, a 4.5% increase from the 2024-25 third quarter forecast; $54 million in 2025-26, along with $348 million more over the following 2 years will support additional enrolment growth; An increase of $55 million in 2025-26, and another $94 million in each of the following 2 years, to adjust the funding formula for school authorities to provide increased sustainable funding for growth within the funding model; Almost $1.1 billion in total over the next 3 years to address growth and hire more than 4,000 new teachers and classroom support staff; More than $1.6 billion in 2025-26 will support students with specialized learning needs or groups of students who need additional help; An investment of $55 million in 2025-26, a 20% increase from last year, to allow school authorities to add staff and supports to complex classrooms so students receive the focus and attention they need; $389 million over 3 years will provide increases to funding rates to cover the rising costs of maintaining educational facilities, unavoidable expenses like insurance and utilities, and providing programs and services to students; $2.6 billion over 3 years for educational (K-12) infrastructure, an increase of $505 million or 23.9% from Budget 2024. This funding will support the construction of more than 200,000 new and modernized student spaces over the next 7 years (almost 90,000 within the next 4 years)."

Delivering early childhood education (ECE) through public schools has garnered increasing attention due to its potential to address systemic challenges within the early education workforce. This paper explores the benefits of integrating early childhood programs into public school systems, focusing on how this approach improves workforce conditions, enhances professionalism, increases professional learning opportunities, and promotes equity across the sector.

To understand the role of preschool in public education, we must examine its impact on children's academic, social, and emotional development. Preschool also supports working parents, improves access to quality early learning, ensures continuity in education, and helps reduce social inequities.

Victoria Parlatore (she/her) is a PhD Candidate in the Higher Education (HE) program. As a graduate of the Master of Arts program in Educational Leadership and Policy (ELP),

The Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education's Student Association (LHAE DSA) hosted the 3rd iteration of the Human Rights & Equity Symposium.

Excerpt: "Bill 66 - Early Learning and Child Care Act (Bill 66), was introduced on February 24, 2025, which proposes to replace the Child Day Care Act inherited when Nunavut became a territory. The proposed legislation ensures that Nunavut’s early learning and child care programs are accessible, affordable, inclusive, and rooted in Inuit culture, values and language. This represents a significant step forward in prioritizing the well-being and education of children in Nunavut. Bill 66 also introduces critical updates, including: Improved licensing requirements and duties for operators to enhance safety and accountability; Creation of the Early Learning and Child Care Council, a body to provide guidance and oversight; Expanded accessibility, affordability, and inclusivity for families across the territory; Enhanced support for the well-being of children, caregivers, and educators."

Presented by Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, OISE/University of Toronto, to the Réseau Interagir: provincial francophone early years network, February 25, 2025.

Excerpt: "The provincial government has allocated 3,600 new designated preschool child-care spaces. Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson said the spaces have been allocated in areas of the province where the need is greatest. “Increasing access to child care is a top priority for our province, given our growing population and the desire for new parents to return to the workforce,” said Johnson. “We are excited that more families will have access to affordable, high-quality child-care spaces, and are thankful to our operators for their hard work and commitment to make these spaces available.”"

Excerpt: "The Province, in partnership with the Government of Canada, will address the pressing child care needs Island families face through the Canada-Prince Edward Island Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. Two new grants under this agreement will help establish more licensed early childhood centres and support high-quality, inclusive early learning initiatives. Current designated and probationary early years centres can apply for one-time funding up to $35,000 based on enrollment through the Inclusive Equipment and Materials Grant. Funding through this grant will allow them to purchase items such as sensory equipment and educational technology that enhance inclusive early years education programming. Through the new Non-Profit Organization Child Care Start-Up Grant, the Province is providing one-time funding, up to $200,000, for eligible construction and renovation costs to NPOs who operate new early childhood centres for at least five years and prioritizes infants and toddlers spaces. Eligible applicants will also be expected to become designated within 18 months after opening."

Presented by Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, OISE/University of Toronto, to the Early Learning and Child Care Sector, Children’s and Community Services Division, City of Hamilton, February 25, 2025.

Presented by Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, OISE/University of Toronto, to the Réseau Interagir: provincial francophone early years network, February 25, 2025.