Featured
School readiness and the tyranny of merit
Early Learning Nation, 2 August 2022
In this two-part column, Elliot Haspel criticizes the harmful impact of a narrow understanding of school readiness on early childhood policies. Using what philosopher Michael Sandel calls the “tyranny of merit”, Haspel explains that the current concept of school readiness sorts children in categories of failure and success by ignoring a child’s family and community life, which results in schoolifying early childhood. Haspel calls for an overhaul of the role of early childhood education and care and argues that the sector should position itself closely to other family support issues.
A scoping review of quality in early childhood publicly-funded programs
Early Childhood Education Journal, 28 July 2022
This review examines the concept of quality by looking at what is known about high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs in publicly-funded, school-based settings. A key finding is the foundational importance of government policies such as sustainable funding, adherence to regulations and ongoing evaluation. The overarching theme of policies is, in turn, linked to the three distinct themes of people, place, and practice as the pillars of a broadened definition of quality in ECEC.
PE: New oncologist's arrival on P.E.I. delayed by lack of child care
CBC News, 03 August 2022
ON: On affordable child care, Ontario’s non-profit programs are leading the way
Toronto Star, 2 August 2022
ON: Most Waterloo region child-care centres expected to opt into $10 a day program, region says
CBC News, 28 July 2022
UK: Childcare disaster is a result of government neglect
The Guardian, 31 July 2022
Research, policy and practice
The value of unpaid childcare and paid employment by gender: What are the impacts of the low-fee universal child care program?
Statistics Canada, 27 July 2022
This report examines the effects of Quebec’s low-fee child care on paid employment using data from 1998 to 2015. Results show that low-fee child care increased the employment rates of women from all demographic backgrounds and increased the use of paid child care. The author highlights that the share of women in unpaid child care and household production declined over time due to an increase of women’s paid labour force participation. Findings demonstrate that taking household production into account provides a framework to better inform family support programs and address barriers to access for immigrants and low-income families.
Expansions in the U.S. child care and development block grant improved program stability
Lerner Center For Public Health Promotion, 26 July 2022
This article discusses the effects of policy changes in a child care subsidy program in Virginia, U.S. The analysis shows that measures to expand eligibility criteria and increase subsidy continuity increased the length and stability of subsidy receipt and child care participation. Results show that the program, by reducing parent fees, led to greater participation of infants and toddlers in a key development stage of life, yet accessibility and affordability gaps remain. Authors suggest that expanding the subsidy program could help improve child health outcomes and reduce socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in child wellbeing and development.
Family policies in industrialized countries: Is there convergence?
Population, 1 May 2002
This article discusses the relationship between demographic trends and family policy reform. Demographic changes in families and increases in female labour force participation typically lead governments to reform family policies to support working parents. Additionally, changes in employment put pressure on governments to mitigate against the risks of poverty. While certain scholars anticipate convergence of family policies towards a Scandinavian model of universal accessibility, the results of this article show that cross-national differences, or divergence in social policy, continue to increase.
Child care in the news
NL: Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement with Newfoundland and Labrador
Government of Canada, 28 July 2022
NL: No excuse not to have pay equity
Saltwire, 22 July 2022
NS: Challenging anti-Black racism in early childhood environments
Global News, 27 July 2022
ON: Hamilton councillor tries to stop daycare from adding play space
In Sauga, 28 July 2022
MB: Manitoba government invests $600,000 for child-care centre expansion project in Brandon
Government of Manitoba, 26 July 2022
AB: Local families weigh in on child benefit increase, and whether it will be enough
St Albert Today, 29 July 2022
AB: Council committee proposes background checks, business licence requirements for day-home operators
CBC News, 28 July 2022
AB: City exploring business licences for child-care providers
Calgary Herald, 28 July 2022
UK: The Guardian view on nurseries: Put toddlers before profit
The Guardian, 28 July 2022
US: States boost child care money as congressional effort stalls
Toronto Star, 31 July 2022
Events
ON: Leaders café and monthly networking session
York Region Children’s Services, 4 August 2022
This series invites supervisors, assistant supervisors and early years program managers to reimagine the traditional role of an administrative leader. The session includes a combination of presentations, discussions, collaborative exercises and resource sharing to provide participants with the opportunity to enhance the skills and knowledge to be an empowering pedagogical leader.
NS: NSCECE Open house
Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education, 9 August 2022 5 PM ADT
The Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education is hosting an open house for people interested in becoming early childhood educators. They will be providing information about a career in ECE, an opportunity to meet their team’s board of directors and sharing future employment opportunities.
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