Just a small example of "head start" that may make some sense to us this
time of year.

A child, the son of migrants who were subjected to a bureaucratically
designed temporary census relocation program, was born in a stable (despite
prevailing public health regulations). Not as elegant perhaps as a birthing
room, but warm – and he had both parents around him, as well as a gaggle of
shepherds there to help if needed.

Shortly after his birth, three important foreign officials arrived with
gifts that might not seem of immediate use to a baby, but that could be
preserved as long-term investments for the child and for the whole family.
We are not aware of any needs test the officials imposed on the family, nor
are we aware of any state sanctioned clawback of these gifts.

The child and his family became refugees shortly after his a birth – an
unfortunate event, but at least his family had the resources (financed
perhaps by sale of some of the frankincense, gold and myrrh, without need of
a permit slip from a government department) to escape. And when they
returned, they came back to a community where the father could make an
honest and dignified living as a carpenter to support his family – a skill
he was able to pass on to his son. By all accounts his mother continued to
give her child her love and support until the very end of his life.

But shortly after his birth, many other newborns – we rightly call them The
Innocents – had their lives ended at the whim of the ruler of their country.
No Magi arrived to save and succor these children.

May we, and those to whom we entrust official power, be Magi for our
children – for all children – in a world every bit as dangerous as occupied
Judea must have been two millennia ago.

Seasons greetings, in memory of the children....

John Butler

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Raphael" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 8:46 PM
Subject: Early child care...


> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> NEW POSTINGS AVAILABLE ON THE
> CHILDCARE RESOURCE AND RESEARCH UNIT’S WEBSITE
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> 21-Dec-2004
>
> In this announcement:
> - New addition to What’s New
> - New website link
> - New Voice for child care
> - Holiday greeting from the CRRU
>
> All postings available on CRRU’s homepage
> http://www.childcarecanada.org/
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> WHATS NEW
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
>  >>Early learning and child care: Getting the next
> steps right
> by Martha Friendly
> Brief to the Standing Committee on Finance by Martha
> Friendly sets out key policy recommendations to help
> ensure a universal system of high quality ECEC for Canada.
> http://action.web.ca/home/crru/rsrcs_crru_full.shtml?x=70843
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> NEW WEBSITE LINK
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> The following website has been added to the CRRU’s
> links:
>  >>BuildChildCare.ca
> http://www.buildchildcare.ca/
> This website, run by the Canadian Union of Public
> Employees, provides an action centre for those
> advocating for a publicly funded, universal and
> sustainable child care system that’s non-profit
> and accountable.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> NEW VOICE FOR CHILD CARE
> ---------------------------------------------------
>  From the year-end interview with Prime Minister
> Martin in Maclean’s (December 17, 2004)
>
> John Geddes, Ottawa Bureau Chief: Social Development
> Minister Ken Dryden is expected to deliver big things
> on early childhood education in 2005. Why are you
> focusing on nationwide daycare rather than just helping
> parents, no matter how they choose to raise their young
> kids?
>
> Prime Minister Martin: First of all, this is not daycare,
> this is early learning and child care. We want to make
> sure that children are ready to excel as soon as they go
> to formal school, regardless of income. What Ken Dryden is
> doing is setting up that national program with the provinces.
> This doesn't mean we shouldn't be doing other things, but we
> are breaking new ground here. But should one have a broader
> view? Of course.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> HOLIDAY GREETING FROM THE CRRU
> ---------------------------------------------------
>
> Please note that the Childcare Resource and Research
> Unit will be closed for the holidays from Dec 22nd, 2004.
> We will re-open Monday January 3rd, 2005.
>
> All of us here at the CRRU heartily wish you a
> wonderful holiday season!
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> This message was forwarded through the Childcare Resource
> and Research Unit e-mail news notifier. For information on the
> CRRU e-mail notifier, including instructions for (un)subscribing,
> see http://www.childcarecanada.org
>
> The Childcare Resource and Research Unit
> University of Toronto, Canada
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
>
>
>

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