Centres could provide early identification of developmental challenges

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) fully supports the establishment of an integrated system of community-based early childhood education and parenting centres located in elementary schools, ETFO first vice-president David Clegg said today.  “This is the long-term vision behind the Ontario government’s ‘Best Start Plan’, which brings early childhood education into the public school system.”

Clegg was commenting on the ‘Early Years Study 2: Putting Science Into Action’ that was recently released by the Council for Early Child Development. The study suggests that the early childhood education and parenting centres could implement intervention strategies based on a growing ability to identify early signs of developmental challenges in young children.

“The need for ‘hubs’ for children’s services is something ETFO has advocated for some time,” said Clegg.  “We have been an advisor, for example, for Toronto’s ‘First Duty Project’, which is a model for a seamless child care/education program for kindergarten-aged children.

“We urge the federal and provincial governments to work together to establish a network of children services ‘hubs’ across Ontario,” said Clegg, who noted that dedicated funding from the provincial and federal governments is absolutely necessary if such an initiative is to succeed.

Clegg said that elementary teachers know the importance of early childhood development and early identification of children’s learning needs.  “Children come to school demonstrating a wide range of developmental differences.  Quality early childhood education together with parenting programs can play an important role in addressing these differences,” he said.

Clegg added that elementary teachers view early childhood educators as partners in delivering high quality programs for young children.  “Regulated, high quality child care is an essential component of early childhood education.  As teachers, we see firsthand the positive effects of quality child care on the development of young children.”

The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents more than 70,000 public elementary school teachers and education workers across Ontario and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.