See text below.
EXCERPTS
The Liberal Government of Ontario has taken a bold and innovative step in having Dr. Charles Pascal develop the full day early learning blueprint.
The document, With Our Best Future in Mind, was released last month after much anticipation by educators and parents.
....
Currently, in the year children turn 4 they are eligible to start attending Junior Kindergarten and likewise at 5, Senior Kindergarten. The program may run alternate full days or every half day.
Parents scramble to find alternate before and after care and transportation to and from school for their youngsters. The children, who may be experiencing their first separation from home, have several transitions each day, which can be emotional taxing. Parents, of course have the choice to keep their child at home until they are age 6. This option remains the same in the full day early learning recommendations.
It is important to understand that over 80% of parents who have preschool children are in the workforce and these children are already in non parental care. The full day early learning concept will help to coordinate services to best meet the needs of these children. Many are fortunate enough to be enrolled in quality early learning programs with dedicated early childhood professionals. However all children do not have this opportunity due to cost, accessibility or lack of spaces. Large numbers of children are missing out on this experience and in some cases are left in less than desirable situations. The entire system of early childhood services is disconnected and this can be frustrating for families and educators but most importantly may not be meeting the needs of our children in this critical learning and development stage. The goal should be for ALL children to enter formal school on a level playing field!
...
There is always fear of change. Child Care operators rightfully are concerned that they will lose their businesses that they have worked hard to establish. Kindergarten teachers have concerns about sharing their classrooms with early childhood educators and the new twelve month format. School boards wonder if they will have space and funds to handle the required expansion and parents are confused at what this full day really looks like and if it is actually what they want for their young child.
While none of us know exactly what is going to happen and in what time frame, it is important for parents to note that within this entire plan there is always choice. Children do not need to participate at all until they are 6 years of age. They can attend only the hours of the JK or SK programs which are currently offered or they can take advantage of the before and after extended day for child care as well as summer care. There will be a cost for this but also the potential for subsidy.
....
Building a bridge from home to school and keeping parents involved with their child's education will reap benefits for us all. Keeping what is best for the child at the forefront is paramount.
....
To implement this universal early learning paradigm shift will be very expensive for the Ontario. It is an investment that will pay society back dramatically in the future with more competent, healthy and contributing citizens. "Early child development should be an essential part of any economic stimuli package" says the Honourable Paul Martin former Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. "Canada needs to ensure that it has an educated populace so that we are competitive in future world markets."
Some will say we cannot afford to make this investment. I ask can we afford not to?
- reprinted from the Brantford Expositor