Stephen Wentzell reports that roughly three weeks out from election day in Nova Scotia, one organization is challenging parties to take meaningful action on child care in the province.
Child Care Now Nova Scotia recognizes that the funding agreement between the federal government and Nova Scotia government is monumentally significant. Child Care Now Nova Scotia’s thoughts can be summed up as: “They heard us! Now let’s build that universal child care system together.”
Savannah Thomas: “As strangers ask endless questions I can’t help but look at Layla and think how unfair it is for her. She loves me and I love her and to be honest, neither of us can understand why that can’t be enough for some people.”
The union representing workers at child care centres and all regional centres for education across the province is calling Premier Iain Rankin’s plan to reopen schools, while two regions are still under lockdown, as risky and unmanageable.
Early childhood educators represented by CUPE are asking the minister for a smaller staff-to-children ratio, lower classroom capacity limits, defined cohorts and larger spaces, to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 within child care centres.
Early childhood educators are calling on the Rankin government to make their health and safety at work a top priority during the circuit breaker and school closures currently happening in Halifax, Nova Scotia. If child care centres remain open during the current circuit breaker, additional preventative measures need be taken to reduce the risk for staff and for the children.
Open letter: As an owner/operator of a daycare centre and after school program, I am adding my voice to the call for equal compensation for all early childhood educators in Nova Scotia!
Letter: The individuals we leave our children with daily have a huge impact on their lives. They shape their little minds and their little souls. They make them happy, teach them so many things and are their shoulder to cry. Not only are they changing their lives today, but they’re impacting an entire generation for our province. It’s terribly disappointing to realize these crucial human beings are making such little money.
Iain Rankin wants to be a fresh new face, but there are already signs that Rankin’s progressive talk may be just that — talk, writes Ben Sichel.
Letter: “As centers face ongoing challenges of decreased enrollment and departures of trained and experienced Early Childhood Educators from childcare centers, what will ultimately happen to the childcare system for our youngest citizens? How can parents be active participants in the workforce without childcare?”