For immediate release

CCCF Celebrates National Child Day
and Children’s Right to be Active

[Ottawa, Canada – November 19, 2007] On November 20th, Canada’s largest early learning and child care organization will celebrate National Child Day and children’s right to be active. The Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF) has created and distributed a full-colour illustrated poster to early learning and child care programs across the country and has developed an online toolkit highlighting resources on physical activity in early childhood.

National Child Day is an annual celebration of Canada’s commitment to children’s rights as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This year's theme promotes the importance of physical activity for children's health and well being and reflects Article 24 of Convention which recognizes children's right to be healthy and enjoy the highest attainable standard of health. According to Don Giesbrecht, President of the CCCF, early learning and child care programs play a key role in supporting this right.

“We know that children learn best through play. What’s more, this type of learning promotes physical activity too. Whether building snowmen, moving to music, or exploring water play, children are naturally active when they are given the opportunity and the outdoor and indoor environments to learn through play,” said Don Giesbrecht, CCCF President. “On National Child Day, we acknowledge the important role of child care in providing physical activity as a child’s right.”

According to the National Statement on Quality Early Learning and Child Care, published by the CCCF in 2007, supporting the rights of the child is a key element of quality early learning and child care. CCCF and its members celebrate National Child Day annually through national initiatives and local celebrations at individual child care facilities in order to raise awareness of children’s rights to children, child care practitioners, families and the broader community.

CCCF is a vibrant partnership of 20 provincial/territorial child care organizations that represents over 11,000 members, including child care practitioners working in centres and family child care, academics, parents and policy makers. CCCF is committed to excellence in early learning and child care through best and promising practice, capacity building, and collaborations, networks and partnerships.

For more information on National Child Day 2007, visit http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/ncdnov20_en.htm.

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Media contacts:

Don Giesbrecht, President
Tel: (204) 889-9858
Cell: (204) 223-9369
Email: dgiesbrecht@cccf-fcsge.ca

Claire McLaughlin, Communications Manager
Tel: (613) 729-5289 ext. 221
Email: cmclaughlin@cccf-fcsge.ca

Website: www.qualitychildcarecanada.ca