This is in response to the letter to the editor from Anthony Bianco, March 21: Ensuring Squamish’s prosperity—Investing in early childhood education.
I want to thank Mr. Bianco for submitting his timely and forward-thinking letter to the editor on the importance of early learning for Squamish. As he points out, research clearly shows that high quality education for our youngest citizens has critical long term social and economic benefits. Providing meaningful opportunities for young children to learn and thrive is good for everyone.
At Capilano University, we are committed to providing the highest quality education for educators who work with young children. Our degree and diploma programs in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) are recognized as leaders because they provoke deep engagement with critical issues in the field and equip students to become advocates and leaders themselves. Both programs will be offered at our Squamish campus in September 2024.
In addition, planning is underway to build a new childcare centre on campus that will serve as a lab school for students to work with faculty mentors and qualified educators to apply what they learn in the classroom. We are committed to excellence in early childhood education because children and families deserve it and forward-thinking communities demand it.
As a regional post-secondary institution, Capilano University is focused on serving the education and training needs of the Sea to Sky Corridor. More broadly, our social purpose is to help build strong and sustainable communities in the region. In the Faculty of Education, Health, and Human Development, we offer a range of programs and courses aligned with this purpose, including options for healthcare professionals, educational specialists, adult upgrading, and literacy and English-language learners. These programs and courses provide exceptional learning experiences to students. They also serve a wider social function by helping people find meaningful employment, reducing social and economic disparities, promoting inclusion, and contributing to overall health and well-being.
Accessible, high-quality early childhood education is essential for every community, but especially for rapidly changing and growing communities like Squamish. We are excited to deliver our early learning programs in the community and look forward to serving local needs in other ways as our program offerings expand.
Brad Martin
Dean, faculty of Education, Health,
and Human Development
Capilano University
