Your December News & Updates
Thankful and Heartful for your Support!

Greetings!

Our first annual Thankful Giving Raffle for Playful Healing raised over $1,500 for our free play therapy services for children in our community - that is 15hours of free services! A sincere and heartfelt thank-you to all those who bought raffle tickets and participated in raising these much needed funds and congratulations to the prize winners!
To celebrate National Child Day, the partners around the COEYP table came up with a creative way to celebrate and hosted the Central Okanagan Story Walk in 10 different parks. We are very thankful for the organizations who came together to support this project. And a big thank-you to City of Kelowna, District of Peachland and the Regional District of the Central Okanagan for working with us to set up the story boards in the parks. This event saw many families come out to read, walk and share some special time together. City of Kelowna and District of Peachland also hosted our annual National Child Day art displays, and we're thankful for their continued support and dedication to children and families in their community!
As well, for National Child Day, in collaboration with Vernon, Penticton and Shuswap Child Care Resource and Referral Centres, we hosted a professional development evening with Hannah Beach and Tamara Strijack with 81 participants. They taught us about the importance of “connecting”, making a conscious effort to connect with that child so that they feel comfortable with us. This creates the emotional safety that our children need, in order for them to learn, grow and discover their best selves. 

This 2020 holiday season more than any other year, please find time to connect with the children in your life - go for a walk together, watch a holiday movie together, wrap gifts and write cards together, go shopping for a gift for a family member together, bake cookies together, read a holiday story together. Help them feel safe and secure by being together and connected with them.

Take care everyone, be kind to yourself and others, and enjoy the Holidays!
Melissa Hunt,
Executive Director
#GivingTuesdayOkanagan
Today, Dec. 1 is Giving Tuesday!

Anyone who donates $250 or more to our Playful Healing program will receive a free Ask Me How I Feel T-shirt designed in partnership with You Are Collective. Every dollar raised this #GivingTuesday will go to fund free play therapy sessions for children in our community who struggle with mental illness.

Did You Know?
Important Subsidy and Grant information
Did you know that child care providers are eligible for grants to lower fees for their families? More information here: CCFRI

Families who make up to $111,000/yr are eligible for additional child care subsidy: Apply online here: Affordable Child Care Benefit.
Take a First Aid Course!

Registration Now Open!
*In-person, limited spots available*
Join your fellow child care providers for Child Safe First Aid.
This 10 hour training includes a copy of the Child Care First Aid and CPR Manual.

For: ECE, LFCC, LGCC, RLNR, Informal
Read Our Annual Report

See what we did in our 2019/2020 year!
Following our Annual General Meeting in October our Annual Report is out and ready to read.
It was a big year for us, and we want to share everything we did with you!

Happy Reading!
Early Childhood News, Articles & Events
ECEBC News
ECEBC calls for Integrating the Early Childhood Education Professional and Programs into the Ministry of Education.
Outdoor Play
Children’s outdoor play is so important and should happen regardless of the season. After all, play should not be restricted to warm weather.
Nominate an ECE
Nominate an early childhood educator for the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.
Early Years Library
Read all about our new library procedures, access our online library inventory and find out how to reserve and pick up toys.
Learning Through Play
Check out these winter themed activities and crafts to engage in with your little ones!
Photos With Santa
Covid Friendly Santa Photos at Kelowna Gospel Mission thrift store. December 12th and 19th
Family resource programming
happy_family_mother_kid.jpg
Nourish Families Winter Update
A special thank you to St. Paul's Church for raising $1,500 to give our Nourish Families a special holiday delivery!
Groups, Classes & Activities
See what we've been up to with our Family Resource Programs and how we've navigated it all during Covid.
Training, News & Resources
Contact Us