ARVIAT
Childcare workers in Arviat are getting the chance this summer to take part in a new pilot program offered by Nunavut Arctic College (NAC).

"Arviat is one of four pilot communities and, based on available funding, we hope to be able to expand the program offerings to other community childcare centres," said Ellen Hamilton, manager of early childhood education programs with the college.

Kristy Suluk, left, and Theresa Natarasungnik take part in pississima (juggling songs) to support Inuit language development in preschool children. - photo courtesy of Nunavut Arctic College

"(These) programs provide training in culturally relevant, quality childcare that stimulates the intellectual, physical, emotional and social development of young children from infancy to age five," stated Hamilton in an e-mail to Kivalliq News. "The programs were developed with widespread consultation and research last year in order to build capacity in the childcare field."

There is also an emphasis on the development of language programs in both English and Inuktitut.

The program is made up of eight courses that the childcare workers have been taking since February, which will earn them an applied certificate. This certificate will open doors to a new diploma program in early childhood education to be offered at the college's campus in Iqaluit - making it the first diploma in early childhood studies in Nunavut.

"For the first time this fall, NAC is also delivering the early childhood education diploma at Nunatta Campus in Iqaluit," Hamilton said. "Students from all three regions have been accepted to the first year of the program."

Currently, participants in Arviat are in their third of eight courses, called Principles and Practices. Students learn how to use traditional games and activities to promote growth in the children attending their daycares and preschool.

Students in the Arviat program learn traditional string games they can share with children, as well as rhymes and songs for a circle time and juggling songs to support Inuit language development in preschool children.

The programs are being offered as part of a two-year mandate by the college's Education Programs division to include early childhood education, as well as enrich their Nunavut Teacher Education Program.

"Since then, there have been continuous efforts to generate a program base for the delivery of a pan-Nunavut ECE approach in a consistent and directed effort to enhance the learning and teaching model," Brian Manning, director of education programs said in a letter to colleagues.

"This resulted in a partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada and a contribution of $1 million. Consequently, we have been engaged in an extended study and consultation program with stakeholders that coincided with our roll out of ECE courses."

The territorial government's Department of Family Services also announced a donation of $100,000 towards the diploma program in Iqaluit on July 23.

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