March 7, 2014 #203, 596 Riverbend Square Edmonton, AB Canada T6R 2E3 edmonton.whitemud@assembly.ab.ca Hon.

Dave Hancock, Deputy Premier and Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education CC: Open Letter to the Minister. Re: Red Deer College Early Learning & Child Care Diploma Program Suspension As a concerned Early Childhood Educator and a Red Deer College Alumni I would like to speak to the potential effects of the suspension of the Early Learning and Child Care diploma program at Red Deer College. Without the ability for students to continue on to the diploma program, many students may choose not to attend Red Deer College to obtain their ELCC education, or not enter the field altogether, rather than obtain their certificate at Red Deer College and then transfer to another institution to complete their diploma. Students from Central Alberta wishing to complete their instruction would have to apply to attend Mount Royal University, Lethbridge College, or Bow Valley via distance or move to Calgary, Edmonton, or Lethbridge to obtain their education on campus. This will negatively affect the child care programs in Central Alberta, as many of the programs in the Red Deer area employ students during their practicums and after graduation. The Government has legislated and made regulations regarding the level of education a child care professional is required to have and there is a shortage of supervisors, (Diploma Level Graduates), to meet that need. Fewer graduates in Central Alberta will ultimately affect the number of child care spaces available. Currently Alberta Human Services is developing an Early Intervention Framework and is in the process of developing and piloting a Curriculum Framework for Early Learning and Child Care in Alberta. Childcare programs fall under the primary prevention continuum that helps families build protective factors and prevent the development of risk factors and vulnerabilities. This Framework requires more qualified, educated, ELCC staff, not less; early childhood educators, child care employers, licensing officials and early childhood experts all agree that early childhood postsecondary education gives graduates the skills and knowledge they need to work in child care. Central Alberta and the Early Childhood community need the Early Learning and Child Care Certificate and Diploma program through Red Deer College. I implore the Deputy Premier and Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education to re-look at the suspension of the Red Deer College Early Learning and Child Care Diploma program, and encourage you to advise Red Deer College not to follow through with this course of action.

Sincerely, Ella Jean Brekke Ella Brekke Family Day Home Consultant