Early Childhood Development

Click to View:

ECD Interior Map 3  |  ECD Service Table

APFA Early Childhood Development team includes Manager Kelly Terbasket, clockwise from bottom, Susan Sterling and Bonnie LaBounty. - Dan Odenbach photo

Prior to the position of Early Childhood Development (ECD) Coordinator, Kelly Terbasket was an ECD program coordinator for Community Health Associates of BC.

The Lower Similkameen Indian Band member is working towards creating an ECD strategic plan and framework for the Interior.

"To accomplish this task I'm pulling together an Aboriginal ECD reference group to guide this process and provide community-based input from the Aboriginal on and off reserve and Métis communities. The framework will include all the current programs such as Supported Child Care, Infant Development Program, FASD, speech/language therapies and Challenging Developmental Behavioural Conditions.

"This is not only an opportunity to manage and administer the MCFD programs but it is also an opportunity for us to develop some new innovative services for our children and families in culturally relevant ways which meet the unique and diverse needs of our Aboriginal communities," added Kelly.

Kelly received her degree in social work from the University of Victoria in 1988 and most recently completed the Executive Coaching certificate from Royal Roads University. She moved into her current position after spending seven years as a Head Start consultant with Health Canada. She also took an interim role as Regional Manager for the BC First Nations Head Start Program for more than a year.

The bulk of Kelly's 20 years of work experience has been in the community development field with an emphasis on health and education

Kelly explains the importance of prevention at an early age.

"My daughter had speech delay problems in kindergarten. She just wasn't fitting in and was falling behind. Once she worked with a speech therapist, within a year, she was on the honour roll and had a much improved social life."

Terbasket works with ECD planners Sue Sterling and Bonnie LaBounty. "Sue and Bonnie have been hired to help communities develop their ECD plans. They both have ECD backgrounds by working in Headstart programs, Aboriginal Supported Child Development and running their own daycare.

"What I'm excited about is they're both Aboriginal, have worked with Aboriginal communities for years, have great personalities, recognize the importance of early intervention and are not directive to communities in designing what is best for the communities," added Terbasket.

Suzanne Sterling – ECD Senior Planner

Sue Sterling was born and raised in Merritt.  The Lower Nicola Indian Band member has two children ages 8 years and 10 years old who keep her fit and active with sports.

The mother of two was living up north for nine years and relocated back to Merritt to be closer to family.

"I have been working within the Early Childhood Development field for 10 years ranging from preschool to Supported Child Development. I am a strong advocate for Early Childhood Development and encourage families and communities to give their children the best opportunities in their first years of their lives," said Sue.

"I was extremely interested in the ECD Senior Planner position with APFA because the organization is within the development stages and I love working with communities to help them achieve program planning, capacity building and development."

Bonnie LaBounty - ECD Senior Planner

For Bonnie LaBounty, a Lower Nicola Indian Band member, the transition into the field of Early Childhood Development was a natural one after the birth of her first child.

"I wanted to be as close to my daughter as possible, and always had a keen interest in child development, so I decided to take my Early Childhood Education training," said the Merritt resident.

She held the position as program coordinator for the Lower Nicola Band's Little Stars Head Start Program for more than six years.  She currently owns and operates a group daycare on the Shulus Reserve that provides care for children three months to five years of age. 

"I love working for children and families … our children and families.  We often hear children are the most important people in our communities and I deeply believe that."

Being a part time position, her role in the APFA allows for a more flexible lifestyle.  "I believe it is important to have balance, to be in the communities doing work for our people in my role as an APFA employee, and on the flip side to be in my daycare doing the all important hands on work with the children."


Back to top