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EARLY CHILDHOOD

An Early Years Centre for Francophones

In 2013, the Government of British Columbia launched its strategy for early childhood. One of the pillars of this strategy is the Early Years Centre, or in French, the “CAFE” (Centre d’appui à la famille et à l’enfance).

Of the 26 centres currently in operation in BC, one is dedicated to Francophones. This centre has been active mainly in Vancouver, under the leadership of the Fédération des parents.

The Early Years Centre initiative is innovative because it promotes interaction between various sectors that work with families and young children. It was set up and is now coordinated through collaboration among three provincial ministries: the Ministries of Health, Education, and Children and Family Development. On a local level, the Early Years Centres’ programming is being implemented through a partnership with school boards, health authorities, and community organizations working in the field of early childhood.
 
The CAFE’s approach is simple: to be the preferred point of access for parents to obtain information, activities, and services for families with young children.
 
The CAFE’s role is to:
  • Be a welcoming place that supports parents and their entire family.
  • Embrace diversity.
  • Provide various services and programs related to health, education, and early childhood development.
  • Provide information about, and refer families to, available services for early childhood, including preschool centres.
 
The CAFE’s programming is built from a base that already exists in the Francophone community: the Franc départ centre at l’école Anne-Hébert, Francophone preschool centres, the informal “Maman francophone de Vancouver” group (initiated by Réseau-Femmes C.-B.), l’école Rose-des-Vents and l’école Anne-Hébert, and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. The CAFE’s vision is to ensure that the Francophone community works together so that families have access to services that provide for the health, well-being, and development of young children. 
 
To learn more about CAFE programming, visit the Fédération des parents website at www.fpfcb.bc.ca.
 
For information on the provincial strategy for early childhood development and Early Years Centres, visit the Government of BC's website.