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Early learning and care in the city: A blueprint for Ontario

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Author: 
Cooke, Michael; Keating, Daniel & McColm, Marjorie
Format: 
Report
Publication Date: 
2 Sep 2004
Excerpts from the press release:

Education leaders at George Brown College and OISE/UT authored the study, Early Learning and Care in the City, which recommends ways to achieve a more effective, accountable system. Its goal is to better respond to the needs of today's families and provide early learning and care to every child in the province.

The recommendations in Early Learning and Care in the City come from research and an independent review of the early childhood centres operated by George Brown College's Centre for Early Childhood Development. Program evaluation found the College's centres offer significantly higher quality environments than is typically found in Ontario centres. The College's emphasis on retaining highly qualified staff and a comprehensive curriculum that combines early learning, care and parenting supports contributed to the higher ratings.

Highlights of the report's recommendations include:

- Governance: Establish a single provincial ministry with responsibility for young children as well as local early childhood authorities to provide administrative, local planning and program support.

- Access: Transform the existing single purpose programs for kindergarten-aged children into a blended multi-purpose program offering early learning, care and parenting resources and then expanding the new program to accommodate younger children.

- Human Resources: Develop new professional credentials and review current practices with respect to recognizing foreign credentials with a goal of increasing the pool of trained staff reflecting cultural, linguistic and racial diversity.

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