Colleges and Institutes Canada, the Lawson Foundation, and Waltons Trust have launched a new pan-Canadian initiative focused on strengthening early childhood education (ECE). The initiative, supported by $5M from the Lawson Foundation and Waltons Trust, is focused on better preparing the next generation of ECE professionals by integrating outdoor, land-based, and Indigenous-informed approaches into ECE programs. This will ensure that ECE professionals can deliver more holistic, inclusive, and responsive learning experiences, while also strengthening the connections between children, families, and communities. A total of 29 postsecondary institutions will be involved in the project through communities of practice, funded projects, and targeted supports, and CICan notes that the initiative will mobilize postsecondary institutions’ connections with communities, including Indigenous communities. The project is also expected to support the development of open educational resources.
