Submission #2299

As an early childhood educator of over 15 years I can say one of the best additions that has come to the Childcare Sector was that of Pedagogical Support staff. With the many advancements in the PEI Early Learning Sector we are seen as near the top among the other provinces in Canada. The quality of our educators, good professional development opportunities, recruitment of staff to the Centres, better working conditions, and the increase and expansion of centres to provide more spaces is great. BUT such great strides don’t come with out commitment, more resources, and proper staffing support. I strongly feel that the elimination of this funding will bring setbacks to many of the advancements we have made in the sector over the past several years. You will see more educator burnout, less recruitment of new staff, more mental health challenges among educators, families, and children. The trickle down effect of these cuts will have significant impacts on Centres, educators, families, businesses, and most of all on the most vulnerable members of our society, the children. Imagine cutting the EAs at schools by 50%, there would be backlash. Imagine if all Island Educators were ‘sick’ for a day. The Island business, families, schools, essential service, and even government would be severely effected. As we burden our educators with more job requirements, more children, less resources, we will also see a crippling effect on the Centres, Staff, their families, the children and more. I hope that the many messages and voices of Island Families, Directors, Centre Owners, Businesses, and us Educators will testify of the vital importance of the Pedagogical Support Role and that the detrimental effects of these cuts will have significant and lasting impacts in particular upon children and families!
Hoping for continued support
Karen Fraser
B. Rec (DAL ’85)
ECE (Holland College 2016)