PEI shares progress in supporting young children
The Government of Prince Edward Island has released a report outlining its significant investments and progress in supporting Island children during their critical early years.
The report Initiatives for Young Children in Prince Edward Island 2019–2024 details interdepartmental actions that strengthen children’s health, development, and well-being from conception to age two and beyond.
These initiatives show government’s commitment to giving all Island children the best possible start in life by improving access to health services, early learning, child care, and social supports.
“The first 1,000 days of a child’s life set the stage for their future health and success. This report reflects our government’s commitment to investing in these early years because when children thrive, communities thrive. Efforts such as ensuring infants without a primary care provider have access to a well-baby clinic, reducing childcare fees to $10 per day, and introducing a universal public pre-kindergarten program, are making a real difference for Island families.”
— Minister of Health and Wellness, Mark McLane
The report also underscores the importance of health equity and reducing disparities for Island children through services that promote child safety and security, along with physical, economic and emotional well-being. These include affordable child care, expanded public dental care, increased access to early learning spaces, and supports for family stability.
“Every child deserves to opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. Having access to the affordable and high quality early learning and child care experience through our publicly managed system is one of the ways to assure the best start possible for children across our province.”
— Minister of Education and Early Years Robin Croucher
Read Initiatives for Young Children in Prince Edward Island 2019–2024.
To ensure transparency and continuous improvement, the Chief Public Health office will conduct a follow-up to the PEI Children’s Report 2017 using the updated child well-being indicator framework. This will improve outcome monitoring and help assess the impact of programs on child health equity and long-term development.
“That next report will allow us to measure our progress, identify gaps, and inform the policies and programs to further support Island children and families,” said Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison.
Media contact:
Autumn Tremere
Department of Health and Wellness
agtremere@gov.pe.ca