Parents and early childhood educators rallied in front of Province House Thursday, giving out black ribbons to signify the imminent death of the early childhood sector if government doesn’t step in to help.
The sector has been in limbo ever since government announced last year it was moving kindergarten from day-care centres into the public school system in 2010. This move will mean a loss of almost $3 million to those centres, as well as a loss of over 100 early childhood educators (ECEs), who will also move to schools teaching kindergarten.
Without that core kindergarten funding, many centres — especially those in rural areas — will likely be forced to close.
That’s because the amount parents pay for child care is not enough to cover wages and operating costs, despite the relatively low wages paid to ECEs on P.E.I. Early childhood advocates have long been warning government of the imminent crisis facing the sector, but they have yet to have any firm commitment for financial help. So on Thursday, a group of about 50 parents, ECEs and children gathered at the legislature to bring the issue to the politicians.
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