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News: January 2012 Archives

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News

ON: Peel Region Rushing Daycare Closings, Parents Say
Source: Toronto Star, January 25, 2012

Excerpt: "Peel Region gave a consultant a year to study the future of child care in the region, but is allowing the public less than a week to digest its call to close all 12 regionally operated daycares. Outraged parents say Peel staff who have endorsed consultant KPMG’s recommendations are “steam rolling” a decision through regional council Thursday without allowing parents or politicians time to debate the issue. If approved by council, seven regionally operated daycares in Mississauga and five in Brampton would close in September, robbing 756 children — many with special needs — of some of the province’s most innovative and high-quality programs, they say."

NL: The Magic of Kindergarten
Source: The Telegram, January 24, 2012

Excerpt: "“What’s so magical about kindergarten?” Education Minister Clyde Jackman asked me as he leaned back in his leather armchair. … If Dr. No wants to stick around for a second term, we need to convince her that full-day kindergarten is an issue that is not going to go away. We need to convince Mr. Money to allocate funding to assess the schools, make the infrastructure work, develop the curriculum, work out the collective bargaining issues and recruit and train the teachers. That, combined with Charlene Johnson’s department increasing the number of daycare spots and the salary of daycare workers are the only things that will elevate the status of Newfoundland and Labrador on the nationwide comparison of early childhood education called The Early Years, where this province finished dead last."

OFL Joins Call to Save Peel Region Child Care Centres
Source: Marketwire, January 24, 2012

Excerpt: "OFL Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Hutchison will join Peel parents at a community meeting this evening and make a deputation at Thursday's Peel Region Council Meeting to call for a delay in the closing of all 12 regionally operated child care centres. Parents and community members have expressed grave concern about the Peel Council's consideration of a report recommending the closure of the region's 12 child care centres that was prepared by KPMG - the same group that advised the City of Toronto on service cuts. The report has been kept secret and will be considered by the Peel Region Council this Thursday morning, before parents, advocates and the media have even been allowed to review it."

Full-Day Kindergarten Not Coming to Saskatchewan
Source: CBC, January 23, 2012

Excerpt: "The Saskatchewan government says it does not plan to implement full-day kindergarten programs anytime soon, despite calls from school boards to make it available across the province.... But a provincial government spokesperson told CBC News on Monday that the costs would be considerable and would require extensive consultations. No talks are planned for this spring, meaning no changes will happen this coming fall, the spokesperson said."

ON: Public Day Care is Best
Source: The Record, January 20, 2012

Excerpt: "Child care has changed. Child care research has not. As a public policy researcher and as a former senior policy analyst with the Ontario government, I have seen that over 30 years of research demonstrate that quality child care, now rightfully referred to as “early education,” can best be delivered in the public and/or non-profit sectors. The Waterloo District School Board is well positioned to deliver high quality early education (and care). Many third-party providers are not. The 30 years of research also tells us that quality is not likely to be found in for-profit operations. I feel no pain for third-party for-profit child care providers."

ON: Letter from Waterloo Region District School Board to Minister of Education
Source Waterloo Region District School Board, January 20, 2012

Excerpt: "The [Waterloo Region District School Board] has embarked on an ambitious plan to expand child care options more equitably for all parents in our system…. Parents should have great expectations for how public education will serve their children. In this region where 84% of parents require access to licensed child care and only 14% percent have options, we see the potential to lay a foundation that will have a tremendously positive impact on student achievement and wellbeing. This impact stems in important ways from what we can offer children in the early years and through a seamless school and care experience in their elementary school years. This is the vision outlined by Charles Pascal in "With Our Best Future in Mind" which provided the roadmap for the Liberal government in the province. It is the vision that our board is pursuing."

New Definition of Autism Will Exclude Many, Study Suggests
Source: New York Times, January 19, 2012

Excerpt: "Proposed changes in the definition of autism would sharply reduce the skyrocketing rate at which the disorder is diagnosed and might make it harder for many people who would no longer meet the criteria to get health, educational and social services, a new analysis suggests. The definition is now being reassessed by an expert panel appointed by the American Psychiatric Association, which is completing work on the fifth edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the first major revision in 17 years. The D.S.M., as the manual is known, is the standard reference for mental disorders, driving research, treatment and insurance decisions. Most experts expect that the new manual will narrow the criteria for autism; the question is how sharply."

Benefits of High Quality Child Care Persist 30 Years Later
Source: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, January 19, 2012

Excerpt: " Adults who participated in a high quality early childhood education program in the 1970s are still benefitting from their early experiences in a variety of ways, according to a new study. The study provides new data from the long-running, highly regarded Abecedarian Project, which is led by the FPG Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Researchers have followed participants from early childhood through adolescence and young adulthood, generating a comprehensive and rare set of longitudinal data. According to the latest study of adults at age 30, Abecedarian Project participants had significantly more years of education than peers who were part of a control group. They were also four times more likely to have earned college degrees; 23 percent of participants graduated from a four-year college or university compared to only 6 percent of the control group."

ON: Tory MPPs Challenge Public School Board Over Child Care
Source: The Record, January 13, 2012

Excerpt: "Elizabeth Witmer, Kitchener-Waterloo MPP, took a most unusual step Friday. She sent an open letter to the Waterloo Region District School Board, asking trustees to listen to parents and to reconsider their plan on the explosive topic of who provides before-and after-school child care in local schools. Witmer publicly challenged the judgment of trustees, almost all of whom watched approvingly while board administrators planned to cut out the Y and other local child-care providers who have been offering the service. In future, the plan is for a total board monopoly on running these programs for four- to seven-year-olds."

Parents Protest Wage Rise for B.C. Nannies
Source: Vancouver Courier, January 13, 2012

Excerpt: "After B.C. raised its minimum wage last year, many parents protested that they would no longer be able to hire nannies to care for their children. Due to this rise and other factors, there was a “huge decrease” in the number of nannies working through B.C. referral agencies last year… After being frozen for 10 years, B.C.’s wage rose last May from the lowest in Canada, $8 an hour, to $8.75. It will climb again this May to the highest in the nation, $10.25. Under the Live-in caregiver program of the federal Human Resources Department, foreign nannies must complete 24 months or 3,900 hours as a live-in caregiver, at which point they can apply for Permanent Residence status. These nannies (usually Filipino) arriving from overseas, usually started at $8 per hour in B.C. in a job that few Canadians want."

Fathers without Fathers - Aboriginal Men in Canada
Source: The Current, CBC Radio, January 13, 2012

Description: "Today, The Current comes to you from the Yukon Art Centre before a live audience to discuss a topic hiding in plain sight but rarely mentioned Fathers Without Fathers -- Aboriginal Men In Canada. In this special forum we hear from the first Canadian academic to start tracking Aboriginal men ... Aboriginal fathers. We meet others working with men who grew up without their dads and who want a different life for their own kids. And we hear from the audience as we explore this issue. We're in the North because Yukon Northwest Territories and Nunavut have the highest percentage of people with an Aboriginal ancestry. But this is an issue that has implications across First Nations communities and across our wider country."

ON: Students with ADHD Have Legal Right to Supports in School
Source: Toronto Star, January 10, 2012

Excerpt: "Thousands of Ontario students with ADHD who are struggling in the classroom now have the right to receive help at school, according to a statement from the Ministry of Education. A memorandum to school boards quietly posted on the ministry’s website last month says children with conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are entitled to special education supports and services if the condition interferes with their learning…. ADHD, which causes inattention, restlessness and impulsive behaviour, is a neurobiological condition believed to affect at least 5 per cent of Ontario’s 2.1 million school-aged children. But unlike other conditions such as autism or learning disabilities, it has not been explicitly included as one that requires access to special education."

CBC Documentary Examines Absence of Aboriginal Fathers
Source: Leader-Post (SK), January 10, 2011

Excerpt: ""How can you be a father if you haven’t had a father?” This seemingly innocuous question becomes more intriguing upon reflection and CBC reporter/producer Geoff Leo is hoping a documentary shot in Regina will shine a spotlight on a subject that has been hidden in plain sight for decades. Blind Spot: What Happened To Canada’s Aboriginal Fathers? not only puts the issue of absent aboriginal fathers under a microscope but also attempts to explain the causes of the crisis, the possible solutions and why the issue has never been addressed nationally."

A Poverty Solution That Starts With a Hug
Source: New York Times, January 9, 2012

Excerpt: "Cues of a hostile or indifferent environment flood an infant, or even a fetus, with stress hormones like cortisol in ways that can disrupt the body’s metabolism or the architecture of the brain. The upshot is that children are sometimes permanently undermined. Even many years later, as adults, they are more likely to suffer heart disease, obesity, diabetes and other physical ailments. They are also more likely to struggle in school, have short tempers and tangle with the law. The crucial period seems to be from conception through early childhood. After that, the brain is less pliable and has trouble being remolded."

ON: Ministry of Education Memo on Categories of Exceptionalities
Source: Ministry of Education, December 19, 2011

Excerpt: "The purpose of this memorandum is to assist in the application of the categories of exceptionalities set out in subsection 1(1) of the Education Act (the "Act") and as elaborated upon in Special Education: A Guide for Educators (October 2001) (the "Guide"). The Guide is intended to be interpreted broadly, and not in a manner that excludes any barriers to learning apparent upon individual assessment."

ON: Dwight Duncan - ABCs of Finance
Source: Globe and Mail, December 24, 2011

Excerpt: "Governments of all political stripes over the past generation have accumulated debt. The Harris government added more than $48-billion to Ontario’s debt, despite deep cuts it made to public services. Ms. Mandel-Campbell would see more of the same, by cutting full-day kindergarten."

QC: Cushioning the Educational Leap
Source: Montreal Gazette, January 2, 2012

Excerpt: "Quebec’s army of kindergarten teachers is being enlisted to help with a survey that will size up how ready children are to make the leap to Grade 1 and start learning in school. The first Quebec-wide survey of its kind will examine the development of about 77,000 children enrolled in kindergarten classes for 5-year-olds."

BC: Robert Barron - Early Schooling is a Good Thing
Source: Nanaimo Daily News, December 28, 2011

Excerpt: "I'm always surprised by the reaction some people have to the province's ongoing efforts to implement early learning programs for pre-kindergarten children. The latest uproar came after a story I recently wrote about a nationwide report "The Early Years Study," that recommends in-school programs for children as young as two should be set up to "maximize their development." I was immediately deluged with phone calls and e-mails from concerned parents who said that they were adamantly opposed to having their twoyear-old children subjected to institutionalized classroom settings.... But parents should be aware that we're not talking about having children who are barely diaper-trained taking instruction from a teacher in front of a classroom for six hours each day."

Research Reports & Resources

Curriculum, Assessment, and Teaching: Putting It All Together
Source: Journal of the Association for the Education of Young Children, January 2012

Excerpt: "The content of January’s “Curriculum, Assessment, and Teaching: Putting It All Together” cluster was culled from presentations at NAEYC’s 20th National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development. It includes a look at how creative and collaborative projects can address early learning standards, successful adult learning communities, and a report on how children’s fully developed play can enhance social development. Also included are ideas for incorporating arts into the STEM curriculum using Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood as a template, and a comprehensive approach to connecting young children with nature." (membership required; some articles free)

Pay Matters: The Positive Economic Impacts of Paid Family Leave for Families, Businesses and the Public
Source: Center for Women and Work, Rutgers University, January 19, 2012

Excerpt: "With a growing need for family-friendly workplace policies, a new study commissioned by the National Partnership for Women & Families, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, concludes that providing paid family leave to workers leads to positive economic outcomes for working families, businesses and the public. The research, conducted by the Center for Women and Work at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, finds that women who use paid leave are far more likely to be working nine to 12 months after a child’s birth than those who do not take any leave. These women also report increases in wages from pre- to post-birth."

Adult Outcomes as a Function of an Early Childhood Educational Program: An Abecedarian Project Follow-Up
Source: Developmental Psychology, January 16, 2012

Abstract: "Adult (age 30) educational, economic, and social–emotional adjustment outcomes were investigated for participants in the Abecedarian Project, a randomized controlled trial of early childhood education for children from low-income families. Of the original 111 infants enrolled (98% African American), 101 took part in the age 30 follow-up. Primary indicators of educational level, economic status, and social adjustment were examined as a function of early childhood treatment. Treated individuals attained significantly more years of education, but income-to-needs ratios and criminal involvement did not vary significantly as a function of early treatment. A number of other indicators were described for each domain. Overall, the findings provide strong evidence for educational benefits, mixed evidence for economic benefits, and little evidence for treatment-related social adjustment outcomes. Implications for public policy are discussed." (subscription required)

10 X 10: 100 Reasons to Celebrate ECD Research in Canada
Source: CEECD, January 2012

Description: "This year marks the 10th anniversary of our annual Bulletin highlighting the top 10 early childhood development (ECD) studies and critical reviews in Canada. We take this opportunity to have a closer look at the scientific impact of the research studies selected over the last decade and to analyze the trends in ECD research in Canada. This issue also features such diverse subjects as language, memory, social skills, physical and mental health and genetics."

The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bond: Focus on Children in Poverty
Source: Pediatrics, Vol. 129 No. 1, January 1, 2012

Abstract: "Play is essential to the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being of children beginning in early childhood. It is a natural tool for children to develop resiliency as they learn to cooperate, overcome challenges, and negotiate with others. Play also allows children to be creative. It provides time for parents to be fully engaged with their children, to bond with their children, and to see the world from the perspective of their child. However, children who live in poverty often face socioeconomic obstacles that impede their rights to have playtime, thus affecting their healthy social-emotional development."

Book: Research Methodologies in the ‘South’
Source: Oxford University Press Pakistan, January 2012

Description: "Are there universal standards for researching education, or should different standards be employed for researching in different contexts? As more and more educational research is conducted through collaborative networks involving partners from different countries, the issue of how research should be conducted is becoming increasingly important…. This book is the first collection of essays specifically addressing the issue of whether the research methods of the 'North' are appropriate for conducting educational research in the 'South'."

CECE Newsletter: Making Sense of Practice Standards for Early Childhood Educators
Source: College of Early Childhood Educators, Fall 2011

Excerpt: "In February 2011, the College of Early Childhood Educators (the College) introduced the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice as a by-law of the College. Although registered early childhood educators (RECEs) are accountable to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, other organizations have also created tools that can assist RECEs in their daily practice.... With the launch of the College’s standards there has been some confusion about the difference between these and the CCHRSC’s Occupational Standards for Early Childhood Educators..."

Are We Doing Enough? A Status Report on Canadian Public Policy and Child and Youth Health
Source: Canadian Paediatric Society, January 10, 2012

Description: "To encourage policy-makers to examine their progress on child and youth issues and to foster discussion among Canadians, the Canadian Paediatric Society produces a biennial status report on public policy affecting children and youth. This report examines how well provincial/territorial and federal governments use their legislative powers to promote the health and safety of children and youth. The fourth edition, released January 10, 2012, continues to assess key indicators of child and youth health and rates progress on these indicators since 2009. The report includes recommendations to improve public policy affecting children and youth, actions based both on need and evidence."

Annie Murphy Paul: What We Learn Before We're Born
Source: Ted Talks, November 29, 2011

Description: "Pop quiz: When does learning begin? Answer: Before we are born. Science writer Annie Murphy Paul talks through new research that shows how much we learn in the womb -- from the lilt of our native language to our soon-to-be-favorite foods. TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes."

Report: Reading for Joy
Source: People for Education, 2011

Excerpt: "Literacy – alongside writing and math – has been at the centre of Ontario’s educational agenda for more than a decade. And while Ontario students’ literacy scores have improved during that time, something unexpected has also happened: There has been a dramatic decline in the percentage of Ontario students who report that they “like to read.""

Implications of Full Day K Program Policy on Pedagogy and Practice
Source: International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy, 2011

Abstract: "The government of Ontario is instituting a comprehensive early learning system that moves childcare and the caring profession into the realm of education through the integration of early education and care. This paper highlights the need for the preservation of care and nurturing, the hallmarks of the “caring profession” within the integrated staff team in Full Day Early Learning in Ontario to ensure quality early child development outcomes and the prevention of the “schoolification” of early learning and care programs…."

EYS3 Report Launch – Video
Source: Early Years Study, January 2012

Description: A recording of the November 22, 2011 report launch in Toronto is now available. The event was opened by Olivia Nuamah, Executive Director of the Atkinson Charitable Foundation, followed by a speech by the Hon. Margaret McCain, read by Jane Bertrand. Kerry McCuaig gave an overview of the report's content. The event concluded with a Q&A with the audience.

Starting Strong III - A Quality Toolbox for Early Childhood Education and Care
Source: OECD, January 2012

Description: "This new publication focuses on quality issues: it aims to define quality and outlines five policy levers that can enhance it in ECEC. In addition, it provides busy policy makers with practical tools such as research briefs, international comparisons, country examples, self-reflection sheets, etc. in order to successfully implement these policy levers."

Before and After School Child Care Programs
Source: Waterloo Region District School Board

Description: This brochure describes the school board-run before and after school child care program.