In June of 2014, an online survey was distributed to licensed child care programs in Niagara to determine usage and age of current desktops/laptops; other hardware and software in use; internet services; and training and/or support needs with regards to technology in general.

As a result of the survey, 75 child care centres were selected to participate and received a hardware bundle, fully subsidized by Niagara Region Children’s Services, by December. Hardware components were bundled to ensure a streamlined approach to installation and to establish a time-efficient process for troubleshooting ongoing support issues. The Technology Team customized the set up of each package to suit the individual program’s needs. Transfer of software and data and configuration of existing printers, fax machines, etc. was offered and each program received an on-site training of the hardware itself and pre-set desktop shortcuts to Niagara Region’s Centralized Waitlist for Child Care, the Ministry of Education’s Licensing Portal, and the ECCDC’s website and Parent Direct Niagara.

Group training sessions were held from December 2014 to March 2015 at the ECCDC to increase supervisors’ comfort with the new equipment; provide a basic overview of common Microsoft programs and file management tips; and facilitate the sharing of instructional manuals, warranty information, and documents that support the Ministry of Education’s ONEkey and Niagara Region Children Services’ OneList systems.

Beyond the project, the ECCDC is committed to providing ongoing technology support to its participants and the greater early learning community.