Early childhood education for all kids starting at age 2

Today we learned about a report that recommends good quality, publicly-funded early childhood education for all Canadian children starting at the age of 2.

The Early Years Study 3 said there was an "avalanche of evidence" that shows just how far quality, play-based childcare goes to set children on a good path in life.

This report is the third installment in a series of research papers by the late Dr. Fraser Mustard, Margaret Norrie McCain and Kerry McCuiag, which set the groundwork for all-day kindergarten in Ontario.

In an exclusive interview with the Star, Mustard, who passed away last week, made the point that the risk for physical and mental health problems is set in early childhood.

It's important to note that - just like kindergarten in Ontario - this kind of program would be optional.

Predictably, there are those who suggest providing quality childcare for all kids is a "nanny state" move that rips babies away from their mothers' bossums.

But that's just inaccurate and irrational.

The fact is that there are nowhere near enough licensed childcare spaces in Ontario and children suffer as a result. Parents who don't nab coveted quality daycare spots for their children are forced to put their kids in suboptimal care instead. Either that or miss out on employment opportunities and the chance to better themselves that participation in the work force provides.

What a program like this would do is level the playing field between the lucky minority in good childcare and the rest of children. Let's not forget that in the GTA, 51 percent of households have income at least 20 per cent below average, putting them deeply below the poverty line. Universal childcare wouldn't be causing a problem; it would help to solve one that's been unaddressed for too long.

A universal childcare program in Quebec that costs parents just $7 a day has been wildly successful in addressing just the kind of space shortages that plague Ontario families. And as a result, Quebec now boasts higher employment among women who wish to work outside of the home. In June an economist released a report that proves the program now pays for itself.

You've heard my view. What's yours? Please take our poll and let us know.

 

Comments

[Jennie Maynard]

Ridiculous. Why can't kids just be kids anymore?

[Susan Taras]

2 and 3 are beautiful ages where the child develops a secure and loving bond with their family members. The lure of more money and material wealth never replaces the most precious years of your child's development. No government institution and tax dollars pulled from my pocket will ever compare to those 2 and 3 year old smiles. Nor will your child ever say to you "Gee mom (dad), I wish you would have put me in daycare earlier."

[Lindsay]

I'm almost 29 and plan to have kids in the next 5 years, and the price and quality of childcare will affect how soon I can do that and how many children I can have. My partner has over 35k in student loans, our dual full-time income is under 100k a year, and the average house price in our city is over half a million dollars. We have considered moving to a less expensive area - but that means moving away from both sets of grandparents and all local family support. What sort of financial stability can we create for a family unless we can find affordable quality childcare so I can work?

Before you tell me that I would be a bad parent for putting a toddler in daycare, please look back to the year you decided to have children and consider two things. What was the average house price in your area, and what percentage of your income did that represent? How much education you needed to get a job that could support a whole family?

My generation doesn't have a lot of voter turnout and political power, but it doesn't mean that we - and our children - should get the shaft in government assistance. Consider that improved benefits for the elderly mean that more children live in poverty than seniors, and that a lot of parents are far less educated, make less money, and have less family supportable than my partner and I. Young families need more help.

PS - My mother got a good full-time job when I was a toddler, and because my parents were able to find quality care for me, I grew up a happy, well adjusted kid with lots of fond memories of quality time with my parents.

[KLM]

For those fortunate enough to be able to live on a single income and have the primary care of their children provided by one of the parents this can be ideal if the parent is happy and healthy doing this. For many families trying to survive on one income, or for many women who have built careers and drop out of the labour force after child birth, creates stress. Family stress has a large impact on child development.
I think the decision to use government funded care has to be made by each family but the issue at hand it that currently there is no decision to be made - adequate funded care does not exist outside of Quebec.

[Sunfish]

If my kid is going to be in daycare regardless at that age, they might as well be having a great educational program delivered by a early childhood educator. I would love to see a program such as this in place (and subsidized). The reality is that most parents cannot afford to have one parent stay home for those years, or afford the finiancial hit of having 1 career put on hold for 4-5 years and then try to reenter the workforce.

[Wonder Woman]

Families should be the ones to decide how to educate their children. How about all the money the government is pouring into these publicly-funded childcare is given to the family? They can decide to give it to the daycare or keep it as an income for one of the parents to be able to stay in the home. The reality is that most families can't afford to have one parent stay at home. Percisely. Then let us get that money so we can have a choice.

[Feifan Chang]

Well its an great article written .
The strong will give you more help in the following years.

[Joe]

Great for all kids. The educational world is different from when adults when to grade school. Children play with tablets and technology like toys. They need quality instruction to help them to develop to keep pace with our global world. I am worried for my child, how are they going to get into college, a job, etc.. Reality is the world is more competitive and we have to give our kids a chance to be a leader.