OLIVER – Meet Alaina, one of a team of educators who developed, implemented and now staffs a pioneering new model of childcare in School District 53. She is passionate about the work she does and loves that her work brings early childhood educators and early learning into schools.
The program Alaina helped to found is an example of the Seamless Day, a model of childcare that integrates before- and after-school care for kindergarten students into the school day. Under this type of program, children begin and end their day in childcare provided by the school district, which occurs in the kindergarten class provided by early childhood educators, who also participate in the school day teaching and learning.
When asked what she found most rewarding about the work, she said being part of an education team where everyone was committed to the success of little learners was the most fulfilling part of her job. She said that the partnership among the classroom team allowed each member to focus on areas and activities that best represented their skills and passion.
With 18 years of experience as an ECE, Alaina says that connecting childcare and early learning to schools, and seeing the how positively kids are responding, makes supporting the Seamless Day her favourite work in the field.
You can follow Alaina and the Seamless Day program she’s a part of on Instagram!
More About the Seamless Day
The Seamless Day program is an excellent program for kids and families alike. It provides critically needed childcare for families, and provides kids with a higher quality early learning experience. Kids have fewer transitions in their day and build strong connections with caring adults who they see throughout their day at school.
As Alaina reports, feedback from parents is very positive as their lives are made simpler by having only one place to drop off and pick up their children, and appreciate that they need only one point of contact, the school staff, for both childcare and school.
More About Childcare Month
May is Childcare Month and CUPE BC will be celebrating the amazing work by members who provide this vital public service in communities across B.C. Please enjoy our features about CUPE members and the passion they bring to their work, and learn more about our campaign to build the best possible system of childcare for British Columbians by visiting publicchildcarenow.ca.
