Summary
The Spark Guide to Culturally Responsive Early Learning and Child Care in Alberta, funded by the Government of Alberta and authored by PolicyWise for Children & Families, provides a principle-based approach to culturally responsive child care.
The Guide is designed to help educators and program leaders strengthen their skills and build confidence in offering culturally responsive child care. It includes five interrelated and practical strategies for professionals working in or supporting diverse early learning and child care programs in Alberta. The strategies are reflective practice, engaging families, routines, physical spaces and materials, and organizational foundations.
The Spark Guide website provides information on Spark resources, trainings, and events to support educators and program leaders in implementing the guide’s strategies.
Policy & Practice Implications
- By introducing the principles of culturally responsive child care, the guide deepens educators’, program leaders’, and policymakers’ understanding of the importance and impact of culture on children and families.
- Alberta’s early childhood educators and program leaders can enhance their skills in culturally responsive practices and tailor the guide's strategies and tools to meet the needs of their specific programs and settings.
- The guide helps educators and program leaders see themselves and celebrate cultural diversity within their programs through sharing experiences and stories from professionals across Alberta.
- Early learning professionals can support their ongoing professional development through training modules and additional resources.
Image source: https://sparkguide.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Spark-Guide-English.pdf
