Since August, the Cégep Gérald-Godin's Childhood Education Techniques department has been hosting a new community-based educational daycare service. This initiative follows on from the new childcare service formula set up by the Ministère de la Famille.

This partnership enriches the academic career of the program's students, who live daily with the group of six children aged 1 to 4. In fact, the room adjacent to the classrooms allows the children to be observed through tinted windows.

Nadia El Haoul, the educator, is also very open to collaborating with the teachers to facilitate observation periods, activities with the children and educational projects.

" Being with the children gives us a great insight into the day-to-day life of the educators. We can observe different aspects of childhood education, make connections with the theory we've learned in class, and this helps us a great deal when it comes to passing assessments and completing assignments," explains Narimène, a 2nd year student.

Since the beginning of the semester, students in the program have been working in a stimulating educational environment. The authentic environment enables the assessment and achievement of certain necessary competencies prescribed by the ministerial specifications, as well as offering opportunities for practical activities that support the theoretical concepts seen in class.

Students can apply health and safety concepts, among others, to the care of children, and enjoy the unique experience of seeing children evolve in an environment adapted to their needs.

Le cercle des amis daycare center is recognized by the Bureau coordinateur de la garde en milieu familial. It applies the Ministère de la Famille's educational program: "Accueillir la petite enfance".