CNC in Action: 2018 CNC Conference
The 2018 CNC Conference,
Working With Refugee Children and Their Families, was an opportunity to meet other CNC staff, build relationships, share strategies, and collaborate to create real life solutions that benefit children enrolled in CNC programs.
Revisit highlights from the conference, and submit an idea from the conference that you implemented/plan to implement in your program to win a prize.
CNC in Action: An International Perspective
There are over fifty million refugees and it is estimated that over half of these are children. As the world tries to determine how to serve these children, some countries are taking the lead and making significant contributions. CMAS was invited to participate and present a poster session at the
Expanding Effective ECEC Services for Young Refugee Children Conference. International practitioners, philanthropists, policymakers, experts and other stakeholders in the field attended the event, held on September 11 and 12 in Berlin.
Find out more.
CNC in Action: Creating Community
The Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor is a community hub, offering a number of services to both immigrants and the community at large. These services allow the centre to work together as a team to bring
healthy meals to families with children registered in the CNC program.
CNC in Action: Special Needs
This is the story of a family who faced many barriers. Thanks to a very committed CNC team, the parents successfully navigated the system and got the help their children needed.
CNC in Action: A Reggio-inspired Program
Inspiration and knowledge can come from anywhere. This is especially true at Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC), where each child is encouraged to follow their curiosities and construct their own learning through an
approach to child care influenced by The Reggio Emilia Philosophy.
CNC in Action: Documentation
Graybridge Malkam CNC staff have identified
five effective and easy-to-implement documentation techniques. Try them out and see what a difference they can make in your own program!
CNC in Action: Special Needs
When ‘Sarah’* joined the Toronto District School Board Rexdale CNC program, she did not engage with either the children or the toys in the room. Diagnosed with autism, Sarah needed different supports. The child care staff welcomed her with open arms and wanted to help her integrate into the program. They started off with keen observation, hard work, and a request for funding.
In the end, they improved the CNC experience for not only Sarah, but the other newcomer children as well.
CNC in Action: Helping Parents
Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto believes it is important to help immigrant parents take an active role in their child’s education. This can be challenging for families who find the school system in Canada very different from what they were used to in their home country. By participating in events through a school’s parent council, they can get to know the teachers and school administrators, and get a better understanding of what and how their children are learning. To help parents of children in the CNC program make that leap, Mennonite started a
Newcomer Parent Council.
CNC in Action: Syrian Refugees
The Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) CNC Program is no stranger to welcoming newcomer families with open arms. When approximately 100 Syrian refugee families arrived within the same period, the staff had to stretch their arms that much wider. While parents attended workshops, caregivers had to provide short term care to 22 new children at a time. This was in addition to running their regular program. Flexibility and a team approach with all hands on deck were key to
managing the influx of newcomers.
CNC in Action: Creating Outdoor Space
One of the struggles when a family immigrates to Canada is outdoor playtime. There are a number of factors working against them. The climate can be harsh, and they may not have proper clothes for the weather. Most live in apartment buildings when they first arrive and do not have immediate access to playgrounds. Also, when parents must watch younger siblings, there may not be as many outdoor opportunities for the older children. Even in childcare programs, it can be difficult to spend time outdoors, because of space or other limitations. Whatever the reasons, the end result is that many newcomer children just don’t get enough time outside. After years of experiencing this reality,
English at First in Waterloo found a solution.
