The data from the report of the Auditor General (AG) of Quebec deeply disappointed us, although this is not surprising. As early childhood educators, we are privileged witnesses to the realities on the ground. In addition, many researchers in early childhood educational contexts, both here and around the world, as well as education specialists and committed professionals, have repeatedly emphasized the importance of educational quality from the very beginning. first years of life.
The report from the VG, Guylaine Leclerc, illustrates and confirms our worst fears. Although we are early childhood professionals, nothing in this report gives us the impression that this government prioritizes educational quality and the importance of the role of qualified and experienced early childhood educators. With the “My place at work” movement, we share the same impression: decision-makers seem to perceive the network as a “parking lot for children”.
The VG adds in its report that “the ministry did little to intervene with childcare services that failed the evaluation. He did not receive about a third of the action plans that were supposed to be sent to him, and a large part of those he received were of insufficient quality.” Another worrying point concerns the classification of complaints: half of the complaints linked to inappropriate practices or attitudes receive only a simple reminder of good practices, without verification of the allegations, and the ministry does not always intervene in a timely manner. .
These results highlight a series of worrying gaps that lead us to ask the following questions. What happens if an early childhood educator reports inappropriate practices in their environment? What happens if an educator notices a negative climate within a group and management does not react, thus turning to the ministry? And what happens if an educational team contacts the ministry because of the deterioration of the situation in their environment? The reality depicted by the Auditor General seems worrying to us; a simple call or email reminding the manager of good practices is sent. It’s terrible.
According to Nathalie Bigras, professor of early childhood education at the University of Quebec in Montreal, a qualified educator is responsible for educational quality, and the General Auditor reports this by specifying that the presence of educators qualified in sufficient numbers is an important determinant of the quality of an educational childcare service.
Prioritize toddlers
While some countries are slow to recognize the importance of early childhood professionals, others, like certain Canadian provinces, have better managed the shortage. By prioritizing the education of young children, these countries have understood that investment in the early years is crucial for individual development. This approach, far from being simplistic, truly enhances human capital and promises a better future for future generations.
The secret of these governments? They have chosen to massively promote the profession of early childhood educator. Imagine for a moment if the senior leaders of our government gave a rewarding and motivating speech towards early childhood professionals, such as that generally reserved for other key sectors in Quebec (think of construction, nursing staff, etc.). Let’s imagine the benefits for our society if we chose to prioritize toddlers.
This report seriously shakes our confidence in this government. It highlights the lack of consideration given to improving educational quality, relegated to second place, behind the importance of creating places at all costs. This reinforces the feeling shared by a large majority of early childhood professionals for whom the government perceives educational services as simple daycare centers.
We are convinced that continuing to designate people who are not trained in early childhood contributes to devaluing the profession of educator, suggesting that anyone can fulfill this role, which minimizes the importance of everything. the required know-how. The VG report demonstrates this: there is a correlation between the reduction in educational quality in the network and the reduction in qualified educational staff. In short, we have the feeling that the importance of the qualification of early childhood educators is trivialized.
Like the recent Bill 37, which establishes a position of commissioner for the well-being and rights of children, we hope to see the emergence of a Ministry of Early Childhood, rather than a ministry focused solely on creating places at all costs. After all, UNICEF reminds us, “the true measure of the value of a nation is the way in which it takes care of its children, their health, their security, the material resources at their disposal, their education , of their socialization, of their feeling of being loved and valued, of their maintenance in the family and the country where they were born.