Reading Fannie Dagenais’ article, it’s hard not to agree with her. It is true that children who attend CPEs benefit from an educational context that promotes the overall development of the child. In this sense, the example of Xavier is relevant, because he will be well prepared to enter kindergarten for 5 years.
However, his second example lacks nuance. Indeed, Natalya, as she calls her, could have benefited from the 4-year-old kindergarten service offered free of charge in several of our public schools. Unfortunately, M.me Dagenais does not mention it, as if this service did not exist. However, 4-year-old kindergartens were created precisely to prepare children for 5-year-old kindergarten. It is now recognized in Quebec that preschool forms a cycle, and an excellent preschool program is in place to ensure and promote the overall development of children as well as their preparation for school.
In addition, Bill 101 applies to 4-year-old kindergarten, which is not the case for all educational services in Quebec. In fact, some of them only offer services in English or in a language other than French. Imagine the child from an immigrant family who arrives at kindergarten at age 5 and who does not yet know how to speak French because the educational service he was attending was offered to him in another language.
In short, this essential question of language is rarely addressed when we talk about the importance of 4-year-old kindergarten.
Also, I agree with M.me Dagenais when she writes, about entering post-pandemic kindergarten, that “it is the most socio-economically vulnerable families, like Natalya’s, who suffer the consequences”. This is why 4-year-old kindergarten plays a decisive role for all those children who do not have the chance to attend a CPE. Preventive interventions are favorable to children in vulnerable situations and contribute to countering the inequalities of the cradle and thus making school more equitable.
Finally, I agree with M.me Dagenais when she writes, in reference to the failure rate in writing in high school, “let us remember that interventions during early childhood are those which are the most effective and profitable in terms of health and educational success”. This is another good reason justifying the existence of 4-year-old kindergartens. The preschool cycle program offers a balanced approach that promotes overall development through play and playful prevention activities. The Quebec education system is responsible for providing an environment and support based on the best educational practices, starting in early childhood.
In short, for all the little Natalyas, 4-year-old kindergarten is an important, even essential, resource that meets their need to promote their overall development, their educational success and their learning of French.