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This provincial election has seen a unique agreement with two of the political parties promising to introduce full-day kindergarten.
The strategy delivers a secondary benefit by releasing almost 42,000 child- care spaces to address the care needs of other age groups.
Ontario needs a comprehensive early learning and care system for children from 0-12.
Beginning with four-year-olds and five-year-olds make sense.
The approach starts where Ontario's early childhood services are already publicly-funded and attended by virtually all age-eligible children.
Turning the promise into a reality demands quick action, adequate funding, a design that recognizes parents' work commitments and immediate financial help for Ontario's floundering child-care programs.
Full-day kindergarten is an intelligent policy initiative, celebrated by Ontario parents and meeting the approval of critical stakeholders.
Done right it will transform public education and deliver better health, fairness, equity and a best start on a lifetime of learning.
The Hon. Margaret Norrie McCain,co-author, Early Years Study,
Toronto
Martha Friendly, Childcare Resource and Research Unit, Toronto
- reprinted from the Toronto Star