New child care centre teaches cross-cultural values
Downtown Edmonton’s newest child care centre prepares children for an increasingly multicultural community and country.
NorQuest College is hosting the 1000 Women Child Care Centre opening celebration today at 5:00 p.m. in the Singhmar Centre for Learning.
“Intercultural education is for all children irrespective of their ethnicity,” says Jasvinder Heran, executive director for Intercultural Child & Family Centre which runs the 1000 Women Child Care Centre. “Since our children live in a country and world that is becoming increasingly diverse, we need to prepare them for that reality.”
“Our onsite child care centre is not only removing barriers to education for students but further teaching our next generation leaders about cross-cultural awareness and understanding,” says Dr. Jodi Abbott, president & CEO, NorQuest College. “This is more important now than ever before.”
The centre’s learning environment embodies intercultural awareness from music, language, multi-ethnic staff, cultural scripts, and the diverse backgrounds of the children it serves.
“This centre provides the type of high-quality child care the Government of Alberta hopes that all families in Alberta will one day be able to access,” says The Honourable Danielle Larivee, Minister of Children’s Services.“I want to thank the leadership of NorQuest College for seeing the need for this centre and the cross-cultural values it will teach, and the community for helping to make it happen.”
NorQuest College is a cultural mosaic with 64 per cent of students born outside of Canada and 103 languages spoken on campus.
“NorQuest College is known for its diverse student population and inclusive learning environment for adults. We have now expanded this to include children 12 months to five years old,” adds Abbott.
The 1000 Women: A Million Possibilities movement raised $1 million in 2012 to establish the Million Possibilities Bursary; in 2016 another million was raised towards the 1000 Women Child Care Centre and bursaries.
Background
The 1000 Women Child Care Centre opened on November 1, 2017. Spaces are open to children of NorQuest College students and employees, and the general community. It provides 56 spaces for children 12 months to five years old. The centre also offers eligible students financial support with the 1000 Women Child Care bursary. Additionally, it supports student practicums, facilitates student and faculty observations, and offers research opportunities.
About NorQuest College: NorQuest College is the Edmonton region’s community college serving 17,592 students annually throughout the province in full-time, part-time, distance learning, and regional programs. NorQuest College helps learners with diverse educational backgrounds complete or further their studies through foundational and continuing education programs. Our post-secondary diploma and certificate programs offer career paths in health, community studies, and business. By collaborating with business, industry, government and communities, we ensure our post-secondary education is necessary and workforce relevant.
Media contact
Nida Farooqui
Communications
NorQuest College
Mobile:
780-907-6432
nida.farooqui@norquest.ca
