Thoughts on the expansion of early learning in School District #46
The Local (Sunshine Coast)
Oct 23, 2008
By Silas White, Chairperson, Board of Education

In its Speech from the Throne earlier this year, the provincial government announced it would be assessing “the feasibility and costs of full school day kindergarten…”.

Last month our board discussed what impact this radical change would have on our schools and community. We identified the lack of affordable quality daycare as a serious problem for many families, and the potential of the expansion of Kindergarten to be part of the overall solution (along with after-school care, the sustainability of private daycares and pre schools, and more).

We are also concerned about the lack of school readiness …  Early learning has become a major concern to all levels of government because of the striking evidence over numerous studies that children who start behind tend to stay behind.

It is important to realize that accepted standards of learning for this age reasonably comprise learning through play and social interaction with peers. Certainly one of our boards concerns … is that we are still unaware of exactly what such a ”curriculum” for this age group would look like.

Despite declining enrollment, very few of our schools would have space for such an undertaking.  We would also need renovations and new equipment.  We are concerned about parental access, licensing requirements, and safety of these younger children at and on their way to school. We would also incur more custodial costs, especially to ensure safe and healthy environments.

Employment wise, we expect that we would need a strong child to teacher/ caregiver ratio.  We also currently have no idea about what qualifications will be required … and if contracts will be covered provincially – and if so with what union. Trustees on our board are certainly worried about where private daycares would fit into such a scenario, and if the province has a plan to sustain them.

Although we are excited about the positive impacts of this idea, we would definitely need all costs to be covered provincially.

… Many parents and childcare providers in our community are also undoubtedly waiting and mulling over many of the same concerns.