The Child Care and Early Years Department is launching a new mobile initiative aimed at supporting early years educators throughout the municipality.
The program, titled Heartwork on Wheels: Rolling Resources for Growing Minds, features a resource trailer that will travel across Chatham-Kent bringing tools and materials directly to licensed childcare centres. As an early years workforce initiative, the trailer is designed to support educators through play-based learning opportunities and professional development resources.
The trailer includes more than 250 resource play kits, along with a wide range of educator supports such as teacher tools, creative equipment, resource books and other learning materials. Educators will be able to browse an online catalogue, reserve items they wish to use and have the trailer deliver those resources directly to their childcare location. The trailer is expected to make its debut in the coming weeks.
Municipal officials say the initiative was developed with accessibility in mind, noting that 54 per cent of childcare spaces in Chatham-Kent are located in rural-based agencies. By delivering resources on site, the program aims to reduce the need for educators to travel for professional development supports. Educators working in Chatham will also be able to borrow materials from the trailer’s stationary location at the Health and Human Services building at 435 Grand Ave. W.
“It has everything we need in one place; the fully stocked resource trailer will help childcare programs and educators save time, inspire engagement, and create meaningful learning moments for the children of Chatham-Kent,” said Karen McDowell, director of The Family Centre in Wallaceburg.
More information about the early years sector in Chatham-Kent is available online at heartworkck.com.
