Written by John Bennet for UNICEF at the Innocenti Research Centre entitled Early Childhood Services in the OECD Countries: Review of the Literature and Current Policy in the Early Childhood Field. (2008), this report includes definitions of basic terminology surrounding the early childhood services sector and an overview of the investments made (and services offered) by the rich countries of the world – the member States of the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

» Continue reading “Early Childhood Services in the OECD Countries”

Direct link to the report: http://www.unicef.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx?at=2250 » Continue reading “New Unicef Report: Canada last of 25 countries in spending on early learning”

December 10th marks the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights – a time to reflect on the human rights violations which continue to exist and need urgent attention.

The Equal Pay Coalition’s open letter calls on Premier Dalton McGuinty to fulfill his human rights duties by taking immediate, short term and long term steps towards closing Ontario`s 29% Gender Pay Gap or face a Coalition complaint to the United Nations for non-compliance with the UN`s pay equity standards. (See Text of Open Letter to the Premier at www.equalpaycoalition.org and video statement of Mary Cornish uploaded on Coalition website and on Youtube.) » Continue reading “Equal Pay Coalition Calls on Premier McGuinty to end Ontario`s Violation of United Nations Pay Equity Standards or Face UN Complaint”

In February 2007, The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care and Ontario Federation of Labour sponsored an eight city tour to warn of the dangers of for-profit child care. » Continue reading “The lessons from Australia continue. ABC Learning is now officially in receivership”

Australia’s Courier Mail newspaper reports that “Speculation continues to grow that Australia’s largest childcare provider is poised to collapse, but parents have been urged not to panic” » Continue reading “Fears grow that ABC may be on verge of collapse”

Australia’s competition bureau alleges that ABC Learning Centres failed to sell two child care centres in Western Australia after they bought the Peppercorn child care group four years ago. » Continue reading “Australia: Competition Watchdog Takes ABC Learning Centres to Court”

Deb Brennan, an Australian child care researcher, recently completed a cross-Canada tour to give first hand stories about what has happened to child care in Australia. » Continue reading “Australia: Child Care Fees Rise with Government Subsidies”

ABC is the world’s largest child care corporation and linked to 123 Busy Beavers, which recently incorporated in Ontario. The OCBCC has argued for a moratorium on licenses to for-profit companies to keep ABC / 123 Busy Beavers out of Ontario. » Continue reading “ABC Update: Fees to Rise as Gov’t Subsidies Go Up”