Three school districts are partnering together to offer a dual credit program for early childhood education with the College of New Caledonia (CNC).
School District No. 28 Quesnel, School District No. 91 Nechako Lakes, and School District No. 57 Prince George will all offer the program, which allows students who have an interest in early childhood education to take courses beginning in grade 11 or 12.
Tracy Cole, SD57’s principal of early learning and childcare, presented the partnership at SD57’s June board meeting.
She explained when she began her role as principal of early learning and childcare, she began to realize how difficult it was to recruit and retain ECEs for the district’s Strong Start Program.
Cole said she began brainstorming what to do about the shortage with principals in Nechako Lakes and Quesnel.
“We started to talk about what we could do about this problem that we were facing, because they too are facing this, as it is a provincial problem,” said Cole.
She said they met with CNC and the Ministry of Education and Childcare and submitted an expression of interests for a dual credit program between the three districts, which was accepted.
The project will receive a grant of $75,000, where each site will get $25,000 to develop the program. It will have 20 spots split between the three districts beginning in 2024.
“Courses can take place in person or online so students who are in our rural communities like McBride, Mackenzie, they can also take part as well same with the Nechako Lakes,” said Cole.
“I think that by pursuing this we are helping our senior students pursue careers in an occupation where we really need them, but we are also supporting our youngest learners get quality childcare,” added Cole.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity and it will be a huge benefit to our community.”
Each seat will also receive $1,000 to help with tuition and the program is also anticipated to be funded into 2025.
