Some Greater Victoria businesses and recreation operations take special care to address the needs of families with young children.
The efforts of a number of those merchants and organizations are not lost on the parents who use them on a regular basis and are spotlighted yearly by the south Vancouver Island chapter of Success by Six through its Early Years Awards.
"It's all about recognizing the work the community does on behalf of young children, and indeed, their families," said Dave Pitre, local co-chair of Success by Six and a retired high school principal in the Greater Victoria School District.
"With these awards, we're trying to help family friendly enterprises be successful as well – everybody looks after everybody else. It's a kind of harmonious relationship we're involved in."
Last week Success by Six announced the top vote-getters in its online public survey, in categories ranging from favourite park or playground to most family friendly employer. Three categories specifically addressed services for First Nations children and families.
"This is all about putting the positive spin on the things that are available," Pitre said. "It focuses people in a very positive way, and by asking them what is good, it creates a whole different kind of energy."
Success by Six is an international program focusing on early childhood development that has expanded to more than 300 communities in Canada and the U.S. The south Island chapter, funded by the province and United Way Greater Victoria, works with various community groups to help create programs for children up to age 6 and enhance public support for early childhood initiatives.
To view the full 2013 Early Years report and results of the survey, visit bit.ly/1264whg.
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