Recommendations to strengthen francophone childcare services in Alberta: the brief from FPFA and ACFA
The Alberta Federation of Francophone Parents (FPFA) submitted a joint brief with ACFA to the Alberta Ministries of Affordability and Public Services and Children’s Services today, as part of the Canada-Alberta Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and the Alberta Government’s French Policy. The purpose of this approach is to draw attention to specific considerations for the Francophone community in Alberta.
Francophone childcare services are at the heart of Francophone communities in Alberta. The Alberta Francophone Action Plan 2023-2028, developed by ACFA, identifies improving French-language childcare services as one of the priorities of the Francophone community in Alberta in terms of its government service needs.
There are 48 Francophone childcare services in both urban centres and rural regions. The development of Francophone childcare services is essential to ensure the transmission of the French language and Francophone cultures; they have a direct impact on the vitality of our Francophone communities. Therefore, it is crucial for the Francophone community in Alberta to make its needs heard by the Alberta government under the Canada-Alberta Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and for the successful implementation of the French Policy.
This brief includes a series of recommendations based on research and consultations with our stakeholders. Several of our recommendations align with the objectives of the Alberta government while proposing actions that adequately reflect the needs of the Francophone community in Alberta. We have explored the following three elements:
- The status of French in Alberta by painting a demographic portrait of the Francophone community in Alberta and raising three legislative texts that support the provision of services in French and the recognition of the Francophone community in the province;
- Issues to consider based on existing literature to understand the challenges and specific needs of members of the Francophone community in Alberta;
- Recommendations to make childcare services that meet the real needs of members of the Francophone community in Alberta accessible and of comparable quality to those available in English.
FPFA and ACFA have made several recommendations to improve the quality of French services for Francophone families in Alberta. These recommendations include measures to strengthen the provision of services in French, improve training and support for Francophone early childhood professionals, and increase the participation of Francophone parents in decision-making related to the learning and care of young children.
FPFA hopes that the ministries of Affordability and Public Services and Children’s Services of Alberta will take into account the recommendations of this brief to improve the quality of French childcare services for Francophone families in Alberta. By working together, we can strengthen the provision of services in French, improve training and support for Francophone early childhood professionals, and increase the participation of Francophone parents in decision-making related to the learning and care of young children. Ultimately, we hope that these efforts will contribute to ensuring the vitality of the Francophone community in Alberta and strengthening the entire Alberta society.