Preschool on Wheels

MHS pe metawe bus is a transportation innovation led by Christy Crane, Preschool Coordinator at MHS, mother of three, from Samson Cree Nation, Treaty Six Territory. The pe metawe bus is one way that our partners are connecting with families who lack transportation to visit them in the centre.

MHS pe metawe bus is ne way that our partners are connecting with families who lack transportation is to visit them on the pe metawe bus. The pe metawe bus offers a safe and stimulating space for young children aged 0-4 years and families to gather on a regular basis. The bus offers education tools and crafts to families and creates opportunities for young children to play and learn outside of their home as well opportunities for social connections between parents and caregivers.

When creating the bus, staff had the goal of visiting all four Nations on a regular basis. The program offers early learning opportunities and prioritizes the involvement of Elders from each community and ensures parent and family feel included. Programming focuses on early childhood development and pre-literacy skills through Cree teachings and language using story, play and nature.

The Training & Resources for Early Education & Schools (TREES) Network is a space for delivering and accessing culturally appropriate training, professional development, resources, communities of practice and mentorship opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous early learning professionals working with Indigenous children and families.

By coming together across communities, organizations and cultures, we can impact the bigger picture of Indigenous early education, child assessment and policy in Canada, so that Indigenous children will grow up proud of their culture and knowing that they belong.

The vision of the TREES Network is for early learning professionals to feel supported through training, resources and connections with others. The TREES Network strives to support early learning professionals to ground Indigenous children in their culture, nurturing stronger communities.

ACCESS TRAINING

The TREES Network supports access to culturally appropriate training and professional development for early learning professionals through the Understanding the Early Years course and Early Years Toolbox workshops. View upcoming trainings and workshops for your community through the Events Calendar.

EXPLORE RESOURCES

The TREES Network supports access to the Early Years Toolbox website, as well as access to accompanying resources through the Early Learning Library. Your access to resources is determined by your organization or community affiliation. Explore the Featured Partners page to view resources created by and in collaboration with Early Years partners.

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

To promote relationship-building and relational learning, the TREES Network provides opportunities for early learning professionals to build connections across the country. You can check out the Events Calendar to find events related to the early years, view the Interactive Map of early years services in different regions, or learn more about Supportive Circles as spaces to come together with others locally or across communities to share thoughts, ideas and support.

CREATE IMPACT

The TREES Network strives to create spaces through which we can collectively impact the bigger picture of Indigenous early learning in Canada. Learn about how Early Years sites are doing this through Early Years approach innovations, and about the important work many other organizations are doing to influence policy, curriculum, access to funding supports and program evaluation.