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EXCERPTS
Re:Fighting over the kids, editorial Aug. 21
Your editorial that calls for early childhood educators, teachers, parents and school administrators to keep the pressure on the government to implement full-day learning in a timely fashion is bang on.
The vision of full-day learning for 4- and 5-year-olds outlined in the Early Learning Advisor's Report is an innovative and progressive concept that is good for children and families.
It would see a partnership between early childhood educators and teachers and the incorporation of the province's valuable social and community services. We must seize the opportunity that exists to replace the province's patchwork services with an accessible, consistent and resourceful model that meets the diverse needs of families today.
Now is the time for all of us working with young children to look at the big picture. Early childhood educators are ready, willing and able to embrace the challenges that come with facing change.
- Eduarda Sousa, executive director,
Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario
The Star is right that we must not let the Elementary Teachers Federation's attempt to stir up trouble between kindergarten teachers and early childhood educators distract us from the goal of securing a seamless, full-day program for all kids. Those of us in the early learning field know that teachers and ECEs can work together to create a quality program.
Let's keep moving forward and ignore ETFO's posturing. We can't afford to throw the baby out with the bath water.
- Carolyn Ferns, Childcare Resource and Research Unit, Toronto
Your editorial does not acknowledge the many kindergarten teachers who, along with their teaching credentials, have additional degrees in Early Childhood Education. I chose to attend Ryerson University, rather than a 2-year college ECE certificate program, in order to get my degree in this area of specialization. I spent an additional year earning my B.Ed., which prepares teachers for the requirements of the entire school system.
During my 20 years of kindergarten teaching experience, I have also taken, at my own expense, additional courses to become a reading and primary specialist.
...
Our 4- and 5-year-olds deserve a full-day program taught by the most qualified educators. Those individuals are teachers who have their ECE or Kindergarten Additional Qualifications, as well as their teaching degree.
- Kathryn Mattison, Ajax
The Star calls teachers "self serving" for insisting that kindergarten classes actually be taught by a qualified kindergarten teacher. I guess doctors are also "self serving" for insisting that medicine be performed by qualified doctors instead of paramedics, and lawyers are "self serving" because they insist that qualified lawyers practise the law instead of paralegals.
- Don Biderman, Toronto
reprinted from the Toronto Star