By far one of the most popular topics on this blog right now is about BC’s journey toward Full Day Kindergarten for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. Every day, this blog gets hits from people searching for information and resources related to this issue. We are making an effort to ensure updates, news and developments are posted on a regular basis. If you have come across some information that you think would be helpful for others to consider please be sure to share this with us by leaving a comment on this blog. Most importantly, make sure you are informed about what is happening. These changes pose major implications for early the early childhood field in British Columbia. Be informed! Share this information with your friends, colleagues and families in your community. Click here for additional information and resources from past postings on this blog.
From: ‘Lots of ifs’ in program to get kids into kindergarten earlier by Robert Barron, Daily News
If B.C. moves forward with plans for full-day kindergarten for kids as young as three, it could provide "huge opportunities" for early learning, but it must be done right, says Sheila Davidson.
Davidson is the executive director of the Early Childhood Educators of B.C, a professional organization dedicated to ensuring that B.C. has the highest quality of child care available to children and families in the province.
She said there are a "lot of ifs" to the concept of beginning formal education at such a tender age, and any kindergarten program the Ministry of Education would develop for toddlers must be different from current models.
"Having kids at that age sitting at desks would not be an optimum learning environment for them," she said.
"Children at that age learn more through play so if quality programs are established with adequate resources in recognition of that, and administered by qualified early education teachers, it would make a big difference in the education of our children."
From: Talks begin on full-day kindergarten proposal by Roszan Holmen – Victoria News
The newly created Early Childhood Learning Agency will explore available research from other jurisdictions, analyze costs and include perspectives from various stake-holders.
For many people active in child-care advocacy locally, it’s an idea with promise but also many challenges.
“I love the idea that it would be free to parents and it would be universal child care,” said Meagan Brame who runs Saxe Point Daycare in Esquimalt.
“My concerns are that it would have to be run by early childhood educators because that is our specialty, that age bracket.”
Billed to provide choice, full-day kindergarten would inevitable put many private operators, like Saxe Point, out of business. This would, in turn, threaten existing day care for infants and toddlers, she said.
Care for younger children is more expensive to run due to a mandated educator-child ratio of one to four, Brame explained. Most child care operators subsidize their infant-toddler care with income from three-to-five year olds. Staffing would also become more difficult, she said.
“If you can get a $20-per-hour job (through the school district) because it’s union or work in day care somewhere else for $13, which job would you take?”
Brame would like to see any new kindergarten funding put into existing day-care centres, which could be transformed into non-profit businesses.
From the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC e-newsletter July 7, 2008
You Can’t Have Early Learning Without Care
In June 2008, BC’s new Early Childhood Learning Agency released a Consultation Paper, "Expanding Early Learning in British Columbia for Children Aged 3-5". This follows up on the commitment in the 2008 BC Throne Speech to explore the feasibility of providing full school day Kindergarten for 3-5 year olds.The possible expansion of early learning services for 3-5 year olds will have a significant impact on the lives of children, families, child care services and communities across BC. So, it is essential that our collective voices are heard.
We encourage all of our members, partners and allies to send government a strong message that "You can’t have Early Learning Without Care." Here are two pieces we hope will help.
1. Our answers to the Consultation Questions.
This provides short answers to the 4 questions at the end of the Consultation Paper. Please circulate these to your networks and encourage your members to use them to complete the on-line consultation at: http://www.cccabc.bc.ca/cccabcdocs/pdf/cccabc_consult_answ08.pdf
2. Our position on key elements government needs to include in any expanded programs for young children.
Please use this to prepare your organization’s written submission to the Early Childhood Learning Agency.
http://www.cccabc.bc.ca/cccabcdocs/pdf/cccabc_consult_resp08.pdfThe Early Childhood Learning Agency is asking for community input through formal submissions and on-line responses by July 18. Info at: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/ecla/
On-Line Response Form http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/ecla/consultation_response_form.htm
