Daycare support would aid literacy
Times Colonist (Victoria) - Tue 22 Jan 2008
Letters by: Vicky Radley

Re: "Lt.-Gov. Point makes child literacy priority," Jan. 13.

Since one in four children in B.C. lives below the poverty line in one of the richest provinces in Canada, one would think that fighting child poverty might be something that could make a difference even more.

Or, why not support a provincial daycare plan that allows parents to go back to work, support their families and be able to read to their little ones? Quebec and Ontario have provincial daycare plans that make it much easier for parents to go back to work.

Teachers from preschool up have been feeding children breakfast and lunch for years with the understanding that full tummies help children learn easier and at a faster rate.

The Ministry of Education has had a literacy focus for years now. Literacy is a laudable theme; however libraries have been reaching all of the small communities in B.C. for a great many years. Alas, library services have been cut back.

Let's focus on the real reasons for early literacy rates not being what they should be.