Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate ECE’s plan to slow down the revised rollout of the Junior Kindergarten program. This will give all of the stakeholders, education authorities, early childhood workers, families and other early childhood care providers a chance to take stock, learn from experience and adjust the program as needed going forward.
Examples of areas needing adjustment that I hear include one-teacher classrooms overburdened by 11 four-year-olds and 12 five-year-olds, tension between existing local programs and ECE’s, lack of appropriate supervision for four-year-olds, loss of early childhood programs and jobs, and the list goes on.
What would a well-thought-out Junior Kindergarten program look like? Such a program would be embedded within a comprehensive Early Childhood Development Strategy which would give first and highest priority to the critical first three years of life, including a healthy pregnancy. This is when the most important brain development processes occur. Early Development Index scores from testing in NWT kindergartens indicate clearly that this crucial opportunity for preparing our children for a productive life is being missed.
Secondly, we would recognize that professionals trained in early care and education are a prerequisite for quality program delivery. Without them, research says we cannot avoid unintended consequences.
We also recognize that we should not be viewing early childhood programs through the lens of schools. We know that ECD programs – early childhood development programs – are best delivered in a quieter environment than our schools typically provide. Relying on our teachers, though capable and professional, would be unfair to both them and preschool children.
Development of our JK program would draw heavily upon the best practices and lessons learned from each community, where valuable experience has been gained through the delivery of age-four programs. Hay River is blessed with six different organizations with a varying approach. Aboriginal Head Start has been active in eight communities. Pilot studies would be assessed and reported on to draw on lessons learned. These organizations must be given a leadership role in the development of community JK programs.
Lastly, the resources required for success must be in place, as those with age-four programs proclaim based on their experience. New responsibilities without new resources are a recipe for failure.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Mahsi.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mr. Speaker, new responsibilities without new resources are a recipe for failure. The proposed review of JK should, therefore, focus on all of these aspects. Specifically, evaluation and subsequent planning should recognize the need for small group sizes, qualified and well-compensated early care and education personnel, development of warm and caring relationships, achievement of a language-rich environment, developmentally appropriate programs and safe physical settings. With this focus and all parties working together in true partnership, we can provide the best future for all children of the NWT. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
