Submission #2387

“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” Desmond Tutu.

There comes a point where we need to stop just throwing money and bandaids into the public schools due to “behaviour issues” and fully commit to investing focus and financial support into the Early Years communities in order to ensure that children during their most sensitive periods of development are having the best possible chance at success when entering kindergarten and beyond.

Imagine a reality where children entering into the public school system have strong emotional regulation, have social skills that promote fair and inclusivity, potential bullies have had guidance to funnel those same attributes into positive leadership skills and potential victims have developed a strong voice through confidence building to become much needed nurturers!

What a wonderful domino effect could happen, as now money could be spent on crucial investments in PSB like playground equipment, music & the arts, sports equipment, technology and innovation etc.

The government needs to look at just how valuable the flow between the 2 sectors could be and create more investments that are potentially beneficial and profitable to all stakeholders, especially our youngest citizens who will have the future task of fixing our today’s problems.

Every year there are more EA positions needing to be filled in PSB. However, early years sector are being affected by funding being taken away for necessary pedagogical support that enables ECE’s to offer the quality care and education within our centers that are working hard to regulate children in identifying and coping with big emotions that will absolutely affect their ability to not only learn, but to be successful as part of a classroom community. We are the frontlines to supporting children’s learning and mental health. Our government needs to recognize that what we do in years 0 to 5 has a direct effect on a child’s journey through not only academics but self-awareness and ability to become valuable members of society in all walks of life through the school years and after.

It all starts with the children.
Go up stream (or in this case “against mainstream”), and help prevent the children from falling through the cracks of the system!