The latest Early Development Instrument (EDI) results show that Sunshine Coast kindergarten students remain more vulnerable than the average kindergartener in B.C.
On the Coast, 36 per cent of children in kindergarten between 2013 and 2016 were found to be vulnerable on one or more of the five scales of the EDI, while the provincial average was 32.2 per cent.
The EDI is a questionnaire that’s been used across the province since 2001 to measure patterns and trends in the developmental health of children entering school for the first time. It’s meant to pinpoint childhood vulnerability rates and reflect how a child’s experiences and environments during the first five years of life affect their development.
Teachers of kindergarteners complete the questionnaires on behalf of their students in February, after they get to know students and their capabilities.
There are a total of 104 questions relating to the five scales of the EDI, which are: physical health and well-being, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive development and communication skills and general knowledge.
On the Sunshine Coast, 36 per cent of kindergarten students who were assessed between 2013 and 2016 (Wave 6) rated vulnerable on one or more of the scales.
That’s higher than the provincial average of 32.2 per cent but better than the Coast rated in the 2011-13 assessment (Wave 5). At that time, 38 per cent of kindergarteners on the Coast were found to be vulnerable on one or more scales.
Over the years since the Sunshine Coast started taking part in the EDI, the rate has fluctuated from 42 per cent overall vulnerability in 2009 to 30 per cent overall vulnerability found in 2011.
This year’s EDI rating of 36 per cent isn’t causing concern among School District No. 46 (SD46) trustees.
“Not surprisingly some areas show slight improvements, some slight increases in vulnerability,” said SD46 board chair Betty Baxter.
She noted the board would have an in-depth look at the numbers in the new year, after everyone’s back from Christmas holidays, to see if there are any specific early years programs or initiatives that need more support.
“As with all data, we will use it to ask and hopefully answer some questions as to where our programs are having a positive effect and how we can improve in the areas where we still need more support,” Baxter said, noting the current SD46 early years programs are “among the best in the province.”
“At the board level we will continue to do our very best to make sure those programs get the resources they need so we can continue to reach the vulnerable children who need the supports of those programs.”
The Coast’s overall EDI rating of 36 per cent of kindergarteners deemed vulnerable on one or more scales breaks down as follows:
• Physical Health and Well-Being – 20 per cent (87 kindergarteners) found vulnerable.
• Social Competence – 14 per cent (63 kindergarteners) found vulnerable.
• Emotional Maturity–17 per cent (75 kindergarteners) found vulnerable.
• Language and Cognitive Development – five per cent (21 kindergarteners) found vulnerable.
• Communication Skills and General Knowledge – 14 per cent (63 kindergarteners) found vulnerable.
The full Sunshine Coast report can be found at www.earlylearning.ubc.ca/maps/edi under community profiles. The provincial report, an interactive map and a data library can also be accessed through the website.
The EDI is administered by the Human Early Learning Partnership of UBC and the data are used to help guide informed responses and investments in children and families in B.C.
