Submission #2470

I know many of you understand what the pedagogical support staff does but for those who don’t, I want you to know this role is vital to high quality child care. They guide educators, strengthen programming and ensure high quality responsive care for all Island children. The Pedagogical Support staff may look a little different at each centre across the Island. What they all have in common is that they support children, families, educators and the centre as a whole. They are most often the educator at the centre with the education and time in the field to make a real impact in the lives of the children in child care. They directly increase the quality of a centre. They do this in so many ways. They are mentors to staff, especially new to the field staff. They give feedback to staff, help them with challenges, do research for them and are a sounding board. They give ECE’s time off the floor to plan innovative learning experiences, to document children’s learning, prepare for parent meetings and do Pre-K child profiles, to name a few.

Pedagogical support staff also have a meaningful impact on children. Not just with the ways they help educators but directly with the children. They are able to support children who may be struggling or having a hard time. They are making connections with all the children, helping them feel the love and belonging at the centre. At times when we have a number of staff out sick and not enough substitutes available, they take on that role which enables us to stay open and not cause any disruption in service for families.

Across the Island, The Department of Education and Early Years asked ECE’s to step up during Covid and we responded. They asked centres to increase their child care spaces, which many did, because they knew they would have the assistance of the pedagogical support staff. Centres are faced with increasing demands from government as well as increased challenges in centres.

To work effectively as it is intended to, the pedagogical support staff must be a fully certified ECE. But when the job does not entail full time work that will be impossible to fill with a certified ECE. Inflation with an outdated funding model does not give centres the ability to cover the cost that is being lost.

The pedagogical support staff directly helps with recruitment and retention. It does this in many ways, first and foremost better working conditions for ECEs. Things such as time off the floor to support the demands of planning and documentation, observations, and good mentorship, to name a few. It gives educators something to aspire to, a new path. It also says to the sector we see you , we hear you, we respect you.

Taking it away at a time when increased pressures and demands from the department are rolling out and a time when costs have increased is frankly, a slap in the face.

I want to recognize the wonderful partnership that the sector, particularly the ECDA has had with the Department. They have worked together on our behalf and we are very grateful for the support and recognition the Department of Education and Early Years has given us. We are the envy of the country. This funding cut is a giant step backwards!

I really wish the funding cuts came out all at once because I would hope an outcry about these cuts would have been louder than they were for the Imagination Library and bike rebates.

Please reinstate full funding for the pedagogical support staff. Our children and families deserve the very best, that I know, we can all agree on.

Respectfully,
Rochelle