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By CHAT News Today

Keeping children safe

Training for early childhood educators on preventing and addressing harmful situations

Jun 12, 2020 | 9:25 AM

The Alberta government is funding a new program that will give those that work with children more skills to better protect those very same children.

The Respect in School training program is being expanded to day care and day camp workers. Previously the training was offered to teachers, educational assistants, custodians and bus drivers across Alberta. It is designed to give individuals who work with children the tools to identify and address bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination.

“Early childhood educators and day camp professionals work very closely with the children and families in their programs every day and are uniquely positioned to play a role in keeping children safe. This training will help further their skills in recognizing and responding to issues of maltreatment which will further keep children safe,” said Rebecca Schulz, minister of children’s services, in a release.

Sheldon Kennedy, co-founder of Respect Group, is applauding the government for its proactive approach.

“These are stressful and anxious times for our kids and those who interact with them each day,” he said. “I am proud to live in a province where child protection and psychological safety is a top priority.”

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While children currently remain unable to attend school due to the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying domestic abuse may be more challenging to determine. The government says that through the training, professionals who work with children will gain skills to better understand, prevent and respond to incidents, as well as to proactively build safe and nurturing environments for children to thrive, both at home and in the community.

Quick facts

• There are more than 18,000 certified staff working in Alberta’s licensed child care programs.
• Child care staff are encouraged but not obligated to take the training, which will be funded by government.
• More than 5,000 school leaders have already taken the program and tens of thousands more are eligible.
• There are about 20,000 day care staff and 5,000 day camp workers eligible to take this training.