Submission #2282

My four-year-old daughter attends a childcare program in Kensington. She is a bright, capable little girl, but she also faces ongoing toileting challenges and is supported by multiple healthcare providers. Because of this, she requires additional time, patience, and one-on-one guidance throughout her day—particularly when using the washroom.

Early Childhood Educators already carry an immense responsibility. They are entrusted with the care, safety, and development of multiple children at once, and they must operate within strict staffing ratios. It is simply not feasible for an ECE to leave a group of children unattended to provide the individualized support my daughter needs.

This is where pedagogical support staff make an extraordinary difference.

Because a pedagogical staff member is present in my daughter’s childcare centre, she receives the supervision, encouragement, and hands-on assistance required to navigate her toileting challenges with dignity and confidence. These supports are not extras—they are essential. They allow her to participate fully in her day, rather than feeling isolated or left behind.

Recently, with the support of this staff member, my daughter achieved something that may seem small to others but was monumental for her: she had her first successful bowel movement on the toilet at daycare. For our family, this was a significant milestone—one that represents progress, confidence, and hope.

This moment would not have been possible without the presence of dedicated pedagogical support.

We are incredibly grateful for this support service. It means the world to us … and even more to our daughter!