One thing that is painful to see in the discussions on childcare: There is this neoliberal view that only children from lower socio-economic backgrounds benefit from universal early learning & care. This is simply not true and it's an arrogant and damaging myth.

Yes, studies tell us that the greatest benefits are reaped from children from disadvantaged homes. But, provided its HIGH quality, early learning & care benefits ALL kids, rich and poor.

Let us not forget that while 1/4 of Canadian kids enter grade school without all the skills they need for success therein, the proportion is not THAT much better for the richest kids.

For richest 20% of families, 1/5 of their kids enter gradeschool without all the skills for school success. So they too can use the help that early childhood ed would provide.

Plus by numbers alone, middle class kids make up the largest % of vulnerable kids in this regard. All Canadian children, no matter their family background, could use a leg up that early learning programs would provide.

In the words of one childcare advocate: "Programs for the poor often make poor programs. What we want to see are childcare centres that... have a mix of families from diff socioeconomic backgrounds... B/c they, like the public education system, can be great equalizers."