Ontario appoints an early learning advisor

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has named Charles Pascal today to be his Early Learning Advisor. Promised during the last provincial election, an Early Learning Advisor would inform the province on the development of a full-day “preschool” program. Alternately described as full day Kindergarten and/or an integrated early learning and child care program, the news is being applauded by both the education and child care sectors:

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario supports the appointment as does the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care.

Dr. Pascal is currently the Executive Director of the Atkinson Foundation. Given the Atkinson Foundation‘s support for immigration issues, Dr. Pascal will surely recognize the opportunity for immigrant children in a full-day preschool / early learning and child care program and work with the immigration sector to ensure the needs of immigrant parents and children are addressed. Let’s send a letter of congratulations to Dr. Pascal.