This week, we learned that more than half of early childhood centres (CPEs) are in deficit. Although worrying, this situation reflects a reality that we have observed for a long time: educational childcare services lack adequate investment, despite their recognized social and economic importance. And ultimately, it is families who suffer the financial and emotional consequences.
For those who are not familiar with the network, it can be difficult to grasp the extent of the problem. But all the elements are there for daycare services to sink in the storm.
First, there is the lack of places: more than 33,000 children are still waiting for a daycare place in Quebec, a figure that has not decreased for two years despite government initiatives. For the lucky families who obtain a place, there remains the problem of financial accessibility (20% of these places are not subsidized) and, even more worrying, there is the question of educational quality.
A report by the Auditor General indicated last spring that one third of child care services failed to meet minimum quality standards in this area. This situation can be explained in particular by the lack of qualified educators and the increasing use of unqualified educators. Underpaid and overwhelmed, educators are leaving the network. However, the first years of life are crucial: a child who has experienced poor educational quality during this period risks suffering the consequences throughout his or her school career.
We are now learning that, due to a lack of adequate funding, CPEs have no choice but to cut activities directly linked to educational quality such as training, teaching materials and planning time.
The irony of the situation is that part of the deficits can be explained by the use of replacement educators, a temporary solution that is more costly than adequately remunerating, from the outset, trained educators who are stable in their environment.
Meanwhile, our little ones are at the heart of this storm. Either their parents are waiting, are stressed and are trying to minimize the impact of the situation on their work and finances. Or the children have a place, but their stimulation leaves something to be desired. Or the daycare is an hour away from home. Or the educators come and go without continuity while they are in full emotional and social development. The luckiest ones—miracle!—have the possibility of having a stable, quality, affordable and secure environment.
The educational childcare network is like a ship heading straight for a storm. It carries exhausted educators, management that is struggling to stay on course, and parents tossed about by the swell. As the parliamentary session begins, it is high time for the government to right the rudder.
Every dollar invested in early childhood education generates up to six dollars in economic benefits. Not actively intervening to improve the network is not only a social mistake, depriving children of a quality education and families of essential support. It is also an economic waste, since it slows down the vitality of our regions and limits parents’ access to the job market.
Let’s not let the network be emptied of its most competent professionals. Let’s give educators a reason to stay. Let’s give the next generation winning conditions to choose this profession. And, above all, let’s offer our children accessible, safe and stimulating environments. There is still time to act to stay the course. Otherwise, all that will be left is to prepare the lifeboats.