Kindergarten move brings training challenge

A plan to move kindergarten into schools could create problems for P.E.I.'s most experienced kindergarten teachers, says the province's Early Childhood Development Association.

'Somebody who's 42 years old, and they're looking ateight years of education it's not very enticing.' Sonia Corrigan, Early Childhood Development Association

The government announced in the speech from the throne on Friday it intends to move kindergartens into schools during this mandate, which ends in 2011. Currently, kindergarten is offered by private operators, using a provincial curriculum.

Sonia Corrigan, executive director of the ECDA, told CBC News Monday her group was surprised by the announcement.

It has concerns about what education and training would be required of kindergarten teachers, whoare now required to have a two-year early childhood educator's diploma. Getting a bachelor's of education, she said, could be difficult for people who have been teaching for years.

"If you're looking at somebody who's 42 years old, and they're looking ateight years of education, you know being 50 when they finish, it's not very enticing," said Corrigan.

"Doing that on a part-time basis, while working and making $13 or $15 an hour, could be pretty challenging."

Corrigan said her group is seeking a meeting with the government to ask questions about exactly how kindergarten would become part of the school system.

Help keep people on Island

The P.E.I. Home and School Association was pleased by the announcement.

President Wendy MacDonald saidthe associationhas been asking for full-day kindergarten and for it to become part of the school system for years.

MacDonald believes it would help keep families on P.E.I.

"We're hearing that for families who come here they see [kindergartens outside the schools] as a deficit," she said.

"The children will be provided with transportation, which parents have to provide now, and they'll have access to consistent curriculum."

MacDonald saidthe associationbelieves government should help people who are teaching kindergarten now with any additional training that would be required.