Debates of August 23, 2011 (day 16)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to once again stress the need for daycare and preschool programs along with the facilities to operate these programs in Tu Nedhe.

In Lutselk’e there are many parents who wish to work but because there is no daycare, they have no choice but to stay at home. There are also times when parents had to give up jobs because they had difficulty finding a sitter for their children.

As for children who have no preschool experience, they start kindergarten not being school ready. This is a fact and in the screening process for school readiness for instruction in school environment, a lot of children fall way below the necessary basic literacy and math skills. These children would benefit tremendously from daycare and preschool.

A preschool prepares children for primary school and teaches these children socialization skills, interaction skills, motor skills such as to dress themselves and tie their own shoes. It teaches them how to recognize colours, learn their ABCs and numbers. These skills make the transition from preschool to kindergarten a lot easier.

Some children have none of these skills upon entering kindergarten, and when this is the case, it becomes a conflict with the teacher who has to juggle between concentrating on pre-ready and non-ready students. It can also become very frustrating in different areas for the children themselves who do not have the benefits of preschool.

Although Fort Resolution presently has a daycare preschool program, the facility, staff, and funding in place can only accommodate eight preschoolers. There are currently 16 children on the waiting list in order to accommodate a total of 24 children. There is a definite need for a larger facility, more staff, and more government funding. Fort Resolution could use at least one more preschool teacher and possibly a daycare worker.

Good support for daycare and preschool will assist students to enter kindergarten on a more positive note and these students will benefit from the programs right through high school. Not long ago I read a story about families in the suburbs of Vancouver who believe in having their children in preschool, and that they would drive across the city for three hours to get their children into preschool. Along with the extra four-hour drive they spend their day travelling to the preschool...

Mr. Beaulieu, your time for your Member’s statement has expired.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Along with the extra four hours a day they spend on travel to get their children to and from preschool, they would even pay up to $1,200 a month to have their children attend preschool.

I believe this government has made a commitment to increase high school graduates. Let’s start at preschool and I’m sure the benefits will be there in the future.

Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu. The honourable Member for Great Slave, Mr. Abernethy.