Submission #2353

We are disheartened to hear about the reduction in funding for pedagogical support staff in early learning and childcare centres. We have had 2 children directly benefit from this service, which was instrumental in their upbringing and development from ages 1-5. Specifically, pedagogical support staff were there for our children to: support difficult transitions (for example, at drop off or between activities); offer individual care when our children could not assimilate with their group; and strategically plan activities that promote age appropriate development. As healthcare professionals, we would expect a funding decision of this nature to reflect an environmental scan based on needs and evidence. Statistics Canada (2025) data demonstrates the increased number of children who are neurodivergent in our province and country. This data would suggest the complement of pedagogical staff should remain the same or increase, in an effort to create equity for one of our most vulnerable sub populations.