Impact of Full Day Learning (Full Day Kindergarten)
on Early Child care in Ontario
Full day learning has a big impact on early childcare as many child care programs have been closed across the province and many are on the edge of closing. According to (n.d., Surveys: Impact of Full-Day Kindergarten on Child Care in Peel section), the period of July and September, 2011 in 64 child care settings 654 children left early childcare program and entered the full day kindergarten. About 44 programs experienced reduction in the income and eight centres had to lay off ECEs. Many child care centres had to increase their program fees due to kindergarten classroom closure that resulted in younger children leaving the settings. “ Four-and five-year olds represent close to 20% of the total revenue at local child-care centres, which offer 1,713 spaces for infants to 12-year-olds” (Ruby, 2010).
ECEs leaving the child care system to work in a FDK program:
Note: The full-day kindergarten program that the ECEs joined may or may not have been within Peel Region.
The ripple effect:
What providers said:
“Difficult to replace with qualified and experienced RECEs at reasonable salaries”
“It is hard to find staff with the same experience levels as the ones leaving. Not enough experienced teachers.”
(Surveys: Impact of Full-Day Kindergarten on Child Care in Peel,n.d., p. 1)
ECEs leaving the child care system to work in a FDK program:
- In 32 centres - 79 ECEs left
- One home child care agency had one ECE leave
Note: The full-day kindergarten program that the ECEs joined may or may not have been within Peel Region.
The ripple effect:
- 17 centres reported having difficulties hiring replacement staff
- 17 centres described the difficulties they experienced
- Difficult to meet wage and benefit expectations
- Hard to find staff for split shifts
- New hires lack experience
- Shortage of qualified ECEs
What providers said:
“Difficult to replace with qualified and experienced RECEs at reasonable salaries”
“It is hard to find staff with the same experience levels as the ones leaving. Not enough experienced teachers.”
(Surveys: Impact of Full-Day Kindergarten on Child Care in Peel,n.d., p. 1)
Comparison between Licensed Capacity and Actual Enrolment
Average Daily Child Care Fees
Wait List by Program Type
But wait... According to the Full day learning
A boost for children living in poverty, low income families will have opportunity to send their 4 and 5 year olds to high quality early learning programs to reduce their risk of poverty (Mccaffrey, n.d.).
But, many families in Toronto and Peel region raise the question about the impact of full day learning on their socioeconomic status. “Will my child care fees increase as full-day kindergarten is introduced?” (Child care: Parents, n.d.). As families with younger children have to pay more to keep the childcare programs running. “Child care fees increase from 15 to 30 percent and some programs may have to close” (Ontario childcare can't work without it, 2011). Low income families cannot afford to pay $50 to $60 per day for their infant or toddler space in childcare. Families may keep their children and stay at home and as the result to it leave the job. Single parent families, in this case, are going to face many challenges such as poverty and depression that would impact their children’s health and development.
But, many families in Toronto and Peel region raise the question about the impact of full day learning on their socioeconomic status. “Will my child care fees increase as full-day kindergarten is introduced?” (Child care: Parents, n.d.). As families with younger children have to pay more to keep the childcare programs running. “Child care fees increase from 15 to 30 percent and some programs may have to close” (Ontario childcare can't work without it, 2011). Low income families cannot afford to pay $50 to $60 per day for their infant or toddler space in childcare. Families may keep their children and stay at home and as the result to it leave the job. Single parent families, in this case, are going to face many challenges such as poverty and depression that would impact their children’s health and development.