The general strike currently taking place in Quebec is a pivotal moment in our history. It forces us to think about societal choices for our different public systems. Throughout all these essential debates, one crucial issue lacks attention: early childhood.
Like our teachers and nurses, early childhood workers are in negotiations. And like them, their fight goes beyond working conditions to also demand more resources for little ones, particularly for those with special needs.
However, several public health studies tell us that the first years of life are crucial for development. Traits such as confidence, curiosity, learning ability, and resilience are strongly shaped during this time, setting the stage for individual and collective success.
The analysis of these benefits and several others has allowed renowned economists to demonstrate that each dollar invested in early childhood education yields up to six dollars in societal benefits. This is corroborated by the work of Nobel Prize winner Jim Heckman, who demonstrates the long-term benefits of investments in early childhood, particularly in the fight against poverty.
The amounts allocated to early childhood struggle to reflect this importance. The CPE network is growing slowly and few parents can benefit from it. The others must fall back on private daycares or find other solutions. Subsidies for daycare centers, daycare services and family environments have not been adjusted following high inflation.
And that’s without mentioning the working conditions. How can we attract and retain quality educators in the profession with entry salaries varying between $17.60 and $21.60 depending on the level of qualification? That’s barely above minimum wage! And it is also one of the least paying DECs, for a profession that is nevertheless crucial for our collective future.
Let’s reinvest massively
This means that there are major challenges in attracting and retaining staff. Whereas for our little ones, the stability and quality of attachment to “their” educator are the key to their harmonious development.
Every day, hundreds of thousands of parents, like us, see the importance for our children to develop in a stimulating environment, surrounded by qualified educators supporting them in this critical phase of their development. This privilege must become a right for all children since the benefits are multiple and indisputable.
Let us reinvest massively in education, starting from early childhood. To offer all children the same opportunities to flourish and contribute to our society.
We invite you to write a note to the Minister of Families, Suzanne Roy, or to the MP for your constituency to demand this reinvestment in early childhood, particularly in the working conditions of our educators. Every action counts and this national inconsistency must be vigorously denounced.
Globally, the progress of societies and their ability to meet current and future challenges equitably and effectively are linked to education. We are fortunate to have an early childhood education system cited as an international example, supported by dedicated educators. Let’s not let these go.