Just because you've got a high level of education and income doesn't mean you know how to play with an infant. The programs helped all children, rich and poor. But affluent parents were more likely than the poor to place their children in programs. Prime Minister Jean Chr tien said this week after his government's Throne Speech that he hopes to work with provincial governments to develop a better network of early-childhood programs. These programs, which serve working parents and those staying at home to raise their children, often fall through the cracks, said Kerry McCuaig, director of the Child Care Education Foundation in Toronto.
Nobody really has responsibility for ensuring that preschool programs are in fact available.
Ms. Peel said the report underlines the need for governments to ensure that parents of all incomes can find a place for their children in a variety of programs, whether formal child care or simply play groups at a neighbourhood centre. In fact, she said they underscore the need for programs to instruct parents in how to teach their children. Stay-home parents tend to get caught up in schedules for feeding and napping and cleaning, so having a place to take their children is helpful. You need direction. I wish there were courses.