Better Start for B.C.’s Early Childhood Educators

How one SVP investee is closing the gaps left by government programs and building a stronger path into the sector.

B.C. is facing a childcare crisis. There aren’t enough educators, and those in the field grapple with burnout, low wages, and high turnover. To address this, the B.C. government introduced the Dual Credit Program, allowing high school students to earn credits towards post-secondary education and apply for their Early Childhood Education (ECE) Assistant license. In 2024, 51 districts participated, each with varying delivery approaches. However, the program falls short, leaving gaps in educator training and support.

That’s why Monique Belanger, Childcare Supervisor at À:lmèlhàwtxw Early Education Centre, stepped in. She envisioned a program that could address the gaps left by the government program. It would do more than just train educators; it would nurture them and provide a critical ecosystem of support. Involving experienced ECE educators, the University of Fraser Valley faculty, regional ECE advocates, and past Dual Credit students, the Dual Credit Enhancement Program (DCEP) provides:

• Hands-on experiences in a quality child care program
• Connections to qualified, practicing educators
• A holistic approach to learning, connecting students to their community​
• A deeper understanding of the profession to inform education and career decisions

With a microgrant from SVP Vancouver’s Early Years Innovation Fund in late 2023, Monique piloted the DCEP. The program supported 35 students across two cohorts, established several community partnerships, and saw an increase in students applying to complete their full ECE studies.

Throughout 2024, Monique collaborated closely with SVP Strategy and Social Impact Coach Karen Gelb, refining the model and building a network throughout the province.

“My coaching sessions with Karen have been pivotal, not only in making strides with my work with Dual Credit, but in building my confidence with advocating for the sector, for myself, and the children. She has guided me in using tools to track my work, gather data, and make network connections in the community. Additionally, I’ve been able to enter into conversations with prospective network relationships prepared, gathering relevant information supporting my work,” says Monique.

After a successful pilot year—marked by improved student retention and increased educator confidence—Monique committed to continuing and expanding the program, now supported by a three-year Series A grant from SVP Vancouver.​

The immediate goals of the DCEP are to: 

• Inspire students by showcasing the impact and rewards of ECE through educator and environmental connections​
• Equip students with knowledge of high-quality early childhood environments​
• Support their journey through ongoing mentorship, resources, and clear career pathways​

The long term outcomes are: 

• promote ECE retention by contributing to a strengthened workforce  
• help new ECEs enter into the sector better prepared 
• Ensure more quality child care is readily available to families with increased an increased number of educators entering the field

With SVP’s multi-year support, Monique plans to build on the successes of the DCEP’s pilot year, and build a scalable framework that can be replicated by other Early Childhood Education centres across the province. The capacity building priorities Monique is seeking support from SVP are communications, Strategy and Impact Evaluation, Ties building/Network Building, and Financial Management. If you would like to learn more about the Dual Credit Enhancement Program or how you can get involved with supporting their capacity building, please contact Helen.