Abstract:

With support of key partners, AMSSA undertook original research to capture the 'promising practices' of specialized early childhood education (ECE) programs for immigrant and refugees. This report provides an overview of programs and services for newcomer children aged 0-12 years developed by AMSSA member agencies throughout British Columbia. It explores the unique approaches that managers, coordinators and educators working with immigrant and refugee children take to achieve their programmatic goals.

Interviews were conducted with 15 diverse ECE programs across British Columbia, including programs designed specifically for immigrant and refugee children as well as mainstream ECE programs with a high population of immigrant and refugee children. Curricular frameworks, pedagogical models, successes and challenges within individual programs, and staff and client relationships were looked at in detail.