CHAPTER 6: THE NEXT STEP
Canada Can Do Better
Neurologists and psychologists unanimously agree that a child’s earliest experiences have long-lasting impact on brain, cognitive, and behavioural development. Yet, only one in two Canadian children age 5 and younger regularly attend an early childhood education program. Canada ranks 33rd out of 35 OECD countries (see figure) where enrolment for this age group averages 70%. Canadian parents also pay more for early education: 19% of net income (the OECD average is 12%).
Canada can, and must, do better.
Preschool as the Norm
In order for Canada to rise up to the level of other wealthy countries, early childhood education must be reframed as something children are entitled to for their own well-being, not just a place to go while their parents work. Canada can reduce barriers to enrolment such as cost and availability and boost participation of families from all socio-economic backgrounds. When early education is recognized as a benefit to young children, it helps silence the debate that burdens parents, especially mothers, who are often harshly judged for working while their children are young.
The earnings of mothers are crucial to the well-being of families. Evidence shows that women’s career paths and wages are reduced by time away from work to care for small children. Considering that 50% of Canadian couples separate after 10 years, long periods away from the labour force can have dire financial consequences for single mothers and their children.
The Guiding Principles of Early Education
Universal ECE in Canada can be guided by the following principles:
ECE as an Entitlement
When children are legally entitled to preschool as they are to primary and secondary school, ECE becomes the norm and is protected from political shifts and economic downturns.
Universal Provision
When available to children from all backgrounds, a good quality universal system reduces social and economic inequities.
Strong Public Infrastructure
To ensure quality and a continuum of learning, ECE must have: A strong mandate, secure resources, and a coherent public policy. Governance and oversight for ECE needs to be located within education departments or ministries.
Adequate Public Funding
The cost of ECE must never be a barrier to participation. Enrolment must be free or affordable for all, including middle-income families who often don’t qualify for government subsidies.
5 Reasons to Support Universal ECE
1:
ECE Boosts 21st Century Skills
Play-based preschool learning promotes language and thinking skills, as well as physical, social, and emotional well-being. These are essential to lifelong learning in the 21st century.
2:
It Pays for Itself
Affordable and available early childhood education attracts more women into the labour force and leads to greater tax revenue that meets, or exceeds, the cost of running the program.
3:
It Supports the Needs of Working Parents
Under a universal system, there could be no parent fees or children could be entitled to a core day of preschool up to 30 hours per week. Parents pay for additional hours according to their needs.
4:
It Supports Children from Low-Income Families
When parents are working, family incomes rise. Universal, high quality ECE for all boosts the participation of children in disadvantaged families.
5:
It Helps Infants and Toddlers
Universal preschool for 3 to 5 year olds in other OECD countries has led to expanded services for babies and toddlers.
1: ECE Boosts 21st Century Skills
Play-based preschool learning (link to Ch. 2 section on types of play) promotes language and thinking skills, as well as physical, social, and emotional well-being. These are essential to lifelong learning in the 21st century.
2: It Pays for Itself
Affordable and available early childhood education attracts more women into the labour force and leads to greater tax revenue that meets, or exceeds, the cost of running the program.
3: It Supports the Needs of Working Parents
Under a universal system, children could be entitled to a core day of preschool, up to 30 hours per week. Parents pay for additional hours according to their needs.
4: It Supports Children from Low-Income Families
When parents are working, family incomes rise. Tax revenues from this income pay for universal, high quality ECE for all children and boost the participation of children in disadvantaged families.
5: It Supports Children from Low-Income Families
When parents are working, family incomes rise. Tax revenues from this income pay for universal, high quality ECE for all children and boost the participation of children in disadvantaged families.
The Cost of ECE in Canada
Canada currently spends $12.1 billion per year on early childhood education. Provinces and Territories currently foot the majority of the bill. In order to offer quality early childhood education and meet the 70% OECD enrolment average, Canadian governments need to invest an additional $8 billion per year. Since the federal government benefits most from tax revenues that accrue when more women enter the workforce, it would be appropriate for the shortfall to come from federal funding. To manage expansion, federal spending should increase by $1 billion per year.
The federal government contributes just $1.8 billion of the $12.1 billion currently spent on ECE.
The Benefits of ECE in Canada
Children thrive in early childhood education and so do communities and society. The cost of a universal system is big, but so are the payoffs. Economists estimate that every $1 of public money spent on ECE yields a $6 return over the lifetime of a child through increased labour force participation and better educational outcomes.
The return on investment outweighs the cost and is crucial to children’s well-being, the economy, and the future of Canadian society. To move ECE forward in Canada, we require strong public leadership, increased public funding, and a shared vision that early education is important for a thriving society.
Early childhood education is the smartest investment Canada can make.