![Image title](https://whitehorsestar.blob.core.windows.net/images/StoryPhoto_49204.jpg)
Photo by Whitehorse Star
Ted Hupé
Photo by Whitehorse Star
Ted Hupé
With an election looming this year, the Yukon government is moving to make good on more of its promises in its Putting People First strategy.
With an election looming this year, the Yukon government is moving to make good on more of its promises in its Putting People First strategy.
“Yukon families will have increased access to high-quality, affordable childcare options for their children starting on Apr. 1, 2021,” according to a news release from the government.
“Additionally, full-time early kindergarten programs will be offered in all rural Yukon schools starting in the 2021-22 school year.”
As part of these changes, the Child Care Services Unit will transfer to the Department of Education as of the same date.
The release also stated the government is “currently engaging with Yukon First Nations governments and key stakeholders, including childcare operators and education partners, on how to create a universal childcare model for Yukon based on the principles of affordability, accessibility and quality, and enhanced early kindergarten programming at all rural schools in Yukon.”
These items are both part of the policy platform outlined in the Putting People First strategy that was first announced in August 2020.
“We know that families are struggling to afford the costs of childcare, and we are taking action to make life more affordable, said Health and Social Services Minister Pauline Frost.
“We are very excited to be moving forward on these early learning initiatives that will support learning and improve our long-term health and education outcomes for Yukon children, families and communities,” added Education Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee.
In July 2020, Premier Sandy Silver announced that the Yukon would be moving to a universal, affordable childcare system.
The services provided by the Child Care Services Unit include licensing and monitoring childcare programs, and processing funding programs such as the Child Care Subsidy Program, Direct Operating Grant and Supported Child Care Program applications and renewals.
Ted Hupé, the president of the Yukon Teachers Association, said Monday he was generally pleased with the news, although he hadn’t seen the release as yet.
“The YTA is generally in favour of the early kindergarten programming,” he told the Star. “But it’s going to be a huge undertaking.
“You can’t just do kindergarten programming for this,” said the longtime elementary school principal.
“It’s going to be a broader expansion for three- and four-year-olds. It needs to be well-thought-out, and there’s a lot of work to do if it’s going to be ready by the fall.”
Along with designing a curriculum, Hupé said, he’s worried recruiting teachers will be a challenge.
Most places in the North, as well as provinces as far east as Ontario, are experiencing teacher shortages right now, much less for specialized teachers needed for junior kindergarten programs.
Hupé said most qualified teachers don’t have training in early childhood education, which is what is needed for junior kindergarten classes.
The Yukon Party was less than pleased with the announcement’s lack of concrete details.
“The Liberal government recently announced they were going to introduce a universal childcare plan,” the official Opposition said Tuesday.
“Like many of their promises, the plan is now far past a committed deadline, and is extremely light on details.
“The February 1 announcement offered very little new detail about when a universal childcare system would be implemented in the territory, how the system was going to operate, and the program costs.”
The announcement, the Yukon Party noted, “comes half a year after the Liberals committed that the details for this plan would be released in the fall.
“It also comes after questions on December 22 from the Yukon Party official Opposition asking why the Liberals had delayed the plan so significantly and for the details of the plan.”
In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.
Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.
Comments (11)
Up 2 Down 0
Denis on Feb 8, 2021 at 11:11 am
Any children attending would be my great grandchildren, so no doubt I am somewhat out of touch. I agree with daycare assistance and kindergarten for 1 year before grade One. I am skeptical of younger children in kindergarten instead of daycare. Could say much more but don't need to be verbose.
Up 6 Down 4
Yukoner32 on Feb 4, 2021 at 9:49 pm
@Bonanza Wait a minute, you think the Liberals aren't doing good stuff for seniors, but you think a big sports guy in his early thirties (Mr.Dixon) will have any understanding of seniors wants and needs? C'mon man!
Up 6 Down 1
WS on Feb 4, 2021 at 7:19 pm
Interesting that it is being forced on the rural schools rather than on Whitehorse for next Fall. So are these 3 year olds going to know how to wipe themselves when they go to school? Can you imagine having to wipe that many tushies in a day and still be expected to teach? And what kind of full-time early kindergarten is this (every other day? half-days? every day full day) because full-time early kindergarten has a variety of options. Which, with the lack of details makes it even more obvious that this was not well planned and is only for votes.
A similar program in BC that was done and had similar affects for the school to know if any students will need special services and to help parents was Strong Start. It was a half day program that parents/aunts/uncles/grandparents could bring the child to and leave together when they wanted to. It helped introduce children to school, teach children how to play together, and helped bring families together. Food was also provided. It was not a daycare so parents/guardians could not drop their child off and leave but I have seen it help. A daycare is and will always be needed. Recruiting is one thing, but there is also housing for those that are recruited in rural communities.
Up 8 Down 2
Colleen Leonard on Feb 3, 2021 at 6:35 pm
The need for teachers to have specific Early Childhood Education is critical to a dynamic full day and early kindergarten. It will also be important to the schools to welcome 3 an 4 year olds knowing what their needs are. As stated in the article "you can’t just do kindergarten programming for this,” said the longtime elementary school principal.
Up 10 Down 9
bonanzajoe on Feb 3, 2021 at 4:33 pm
Again, I see the libs leaving the Seniors out in the cold. My Dentist told me it was awful that the government hasn't increased the dental program for seniors. She said dental cost have almost doubled in the last few years but Pharacare hasn't increased the benefit. My hygienist told me just the other day, that the Yukon Liberal government wants to totally scrap the dental plan for seniors. So, Seniors, take note, if the Yukon Libs get in again this fall, you might see no more dental plan. Are you listening Currie Dixon?
Up 23 Down 8
bonanzajoe on Feb 3, 2021 at 4:26 pm
Children 3-4 years old. For goodness sakes, children that age need their mommies, not strangers. What in the world is our society coming to?
Up 18 Down 10
Dave on Feb 3, 2021 at 11:38 am
Government interference and control of your life from cradle to grave in today’s Canada.
Up 21 Down 8
What does a sheep say? on Feb 3, 2021 at 9:38 am
Oh yes... Suffer the little children unto me... The sooner we get them the less they are free... Educate, indoctrinate and teach them ... What else should a modern, liberal education be?
This government along with its federal mothership Liberals has demonstrated anything but “people first” eschewing the notion of society for inclusion for a new society of “some-people first” regardless of an on the ground, factual reality.
Up 12 Down 10
Yukoner123 on Feb 3, 2021 at 7:12 am
Too little, too late Liberals. We all see this ploy for the election spoof that is. Why not expand the existing subsidy or give better tax breaks. The clusterquack of the implementation of this program under the Liberals would be a mushroom cloud of burned up cash. People will fall for this ruse though!
Up 11 Down 5
Matthew on Feb 2, 2021 at 5:28 pm
Last thing we need is bigger gov.. will make a mess and only doing this in hopes for re-election.. childcare centre's are also about 75% fully funded by the gov as of now. They get free rent, free expenses, and parts of teachers salaries are paid for if they are at a high enough level.
Up 21 Down 7
Max Mack on Feb 2, 2021 at 5:18 pm
Yep - the smell of an election is in the air. And, the Liberals are eager to buy your vote.