Call for Proposals: Professional Learning in the Early Childhood Sector in B.C.

Status: closed

Summary

The project work in these calls for proposals will support professional learning in British Columbia’s early childhood sector.

  • Successful applicants are eligible for up to $100,000 per project.
  • Proposals can be submitted at any time up to October 2, 2023 at 11:30 p.m. (Pacific).
  • Proposals will be evaluated and proponents notified within two weeks of submission.
  • Work must be completed by February 9, 2024.

These calls for proposals will remain open until all funds have been distributed.

If you have any questions about this call or are wondering if a potential project fits this call, please reach out to Ross McKerlich, Project Manager. 

Scope

These are general calls to invite proposals to design, develop, and pilot new learnings that fulfill the purposes outlined above and meet the standards and criteria. For the redesign proposal, the learning must be existing (not new).

Background

The Canada – British Columbia Early Learning and Child Care Agreement – 2021 to 2025 includes an investment to support the development of professional learning opportunities for early childhood professionals.  

The role of BCcampus in this initiative, led by the Ministry of Education and Child Care, is to deliver a call for proposals process, including the evaluation of proposals and dispersal of funds to the successful proponents.  

Current Open Calls

The need for high-quality, accessible, in-person and online professional development offerings for early childhood professionals is high. There is also a need to continue improving the quality and accessibility of priority topics identified by the ministry and the early years sector, which include

  • Indigenous cultural competencies 
  • Childcare in B.C. 
  • Early childhood educator practice in B.C.

The opportunities below are general in nature and designed to meet the professional learning needs in the early childhood sector in B.C. The following calls are open:

1. Redesigning existing materials

Focus: To redesign existing professional learnings to allow greater access. This may include changing or adding a delivery mode or updating the instructional approach.

Purpose: To improve the accessibility of early childhood educator learning and to build learning repositories so high-quality professional learning is available to all early childhood educators in multiple modes of delivery. 

2. Designing and developing new professional learning to improve early childhood educator practice in B.C.

Focus: To improve early childhood educator practice in B.C. through training that helps early childhood professionals strengthen their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Suggested topics could relate to caring for young children, positive guidance, health, safety, nutrition, the learning environment, social-emotional well-being, and others.

Purpose: To provide early childhood professionals with accessible learning opportunities that expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities to deliver quality childcare in B.C.

3. Designing and developing new professional learning to improve the early childhood education experience for Indigenous children and families

Focus: To improve the experience of Indigenous children and families through training that helps early childhood professionals develop an understanding of social and historical contexts, the impacts of colonization, and the importance of critical self-reflection.

Purpose: To provide early childhood professionals with accessible learning opportunities that expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities to deliver quality childcare in B.C.

4. Designing and developing new professional learning to improve knowledge and understanding of the current context for early childhood educators in B.C.

Focus: To improve early childhood professionals’ knowledge and understanding of the current context for childcare in B.C. through training that helps them strengthen their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Suggested topics could relate to government funding, opening a childcare program, becoming certified, understanding the laws governing childcare, and others.

Purpose: To provide early childhood professionals with accessible learning opportunities that expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities and improve their understanding of professional practices for early childhood educators in the province.   

5. Designing and developing new professional learning that enhances the experiences of children through training that helps early childhood educators stay current with their practice

Purpose: To provide early childhood professionals with accessible learning opportunities that expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet the needs of the children, families, and communities they work with.

Focus: To enhance the experiences of children through training that helps early childhood educators stay current with their practice. Sample topics include child guidance; communication with children, families, and coworkers; holistic development for infants and toddlers, and culturally safe approaches to childcare.

6. Designing and developing new professional learning that enhances early childhood educators’ connections to children, families, and communities

Focus: To improve the experiences of children through training that helps early childhood educators enhance their connections to children, families, and communities. Sample topics include establishing trusting and responsive relationships, involving and supporting families as participants, building relationships with Indigenous communities, and partnership building with other organizations that impact the well-being of children (such as schools, health services, and supported childcare).

Purpose: To provide early childhood professionals with accessible learning opportunities that expand their knowledge, skills, and abilities to build strong connections.

7. Designing and developing new professional learning that strengthens professional practice

Focus: To improve the experiences of children through training that strengthens, deepens, and expands the practice of early childhood professionals. Sample topics include ethical practice, self-care and mental health, administrative skills, critical reflection, and implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

Purpose: To provide early childhood professionals with accessible learning opportunities that acknowledge their existing skill sets and provide opportunities to further develop as professionals.

Payment

We are offering up to $100,000 per project. If more is requested, please justify the reasons for the increased amount. The total amount excludes GST. Payment will be tied to deliverables based on the service contract: 50 percent on signing, 30 percent at the midpoint, and 20 percent on completion.

Deliverables

Deliverables vary based on the proposed delivery method. For a full description of what is required for each delivery mode, please see the Deliverables document [Word doc].

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

The following criteria will guide the evaluation and selection of the successful proposal.

Need

  • The proposal meets an identified professional learning need in the chosen focus area for early childhood educators in B.C.
  • The description and details of the professional learning need are clear.
  • The proposal clearly explains how this funding avoids duplication and/or complements other funding.
  • Participants in the pilot will receive documentation or evidence of their attendance, the length of the training, and who can be contacted to verify.

Quality

  • The roles and relevant experience of the principal and team members who will work on the project are clearly described.
  • Proponents have experience working in the early childhood education sector in B.C.
  • The proposal clearly states an understanding of the target learner, deliverables, and intention of the project.
  • Project steps and milestones are clearly articulated and reasonable for effort noted.
  • The proposed delivery method minimizes barriers to learning for early childhood educators in B.C.
  • The proposed design includes multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression (Universal Design for Learning).
  • The content demonstrates inclusion, accessibility, and diversity.
  • The project has the potential for more than 100 early childhood professionals to enrol and benefit from the proposed learning.
  • Early childhood educators will be able to apply what they learned in the proposed learning to improve child care in B.C.
  • If relevant, content includes the Early Learning Framework©.
  • If online, the content meets interoperability and accessibility standards.

Budget

  • The budget is reasonable with regard to the work proposed.
  • The budget is easy to understand and clearly outlines the most significant line items required, along with a reasonable timeline for expenses.
  • The budget clearly shows when the project work and related expenses will occur.

Application

Please submit your proposal using this application and email it to projects@bccampus.ca. Any questions about these calls for proposals can be addressed to rmckerlich@bccampus.ca. Please use the call for proposal number when submitting, and describe other sources of provincial funding for course development and how you would use this funding differently.

You can also submit your proposal by video or audio with supporting materials. Creativity is welcomed. Every proposal, regardless of format, will be evaluated using the same criteria.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement

BCcampus is committed to inclusion. From the workplace to our learning spaces, we value diversity and are actively working to decolonize our organization and the ways in which we collaborate with others. We believe that a more diverse team will help us better support the individuals and communities we work with. Please find the BCcampus definitions of equity, diversity, and inclusion on our website. Read our anti-racism statement.