All-day K already exists in B.C.
Maple Ridge News
September 22, 2009
Sharon Gregson, trustee Vancouver school board

Editor, The News:

Re: All-day kindergarten is just daycare (Letters, Sept. 18).

I was left shaking my head at the terribly uninformed, outdated and weird nature of this letter.

Perhaps the REAL writer needs to know that there are already many, many classes of full-day Kindergarten happening, as they have been happening for years, in B.C.

Children whose first language is not English, children with an aboriginal background, children with special needs – have all been able to access full-day Kindergarten. We have about 100 classrooms of full-day Kindergarten today in Vancouver alone.

The writer, from REAL Women of Canada, does a disservice to Kindergarten teachers and early childhood educators by questioning their understanding of developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum.

She particularly disrespects and even insults children themselves by calling into question their competence and their abilities.

Five-year-olds are curious about the world, ready to learn, ready to play with friends, and good early learning classrooms and daycare centres care for children and support families.

Tell the writer from REAL women to give some credit to teachers, parents and kids. This is the 21st Century and we have a world full of examples of how good early care and learning practices are good for kids.