So for me to see a black man become President … well I was excited. I remember Richard and I discussing this and he, in true form, looked at me, and his eyes got that look. Those who knew him all know the one. The slight tilt of the head, the subtle twinkle in the eye, maybe a trace of a smile or a smirk, depending on the context, maybe not. But we all know that look. The one that said he’d been thinking about this and was about to share some point of insight or ask you a question that would make you completely re-think the context of what you’d be thinking. What he said was “yes, you’re right but maybe even more importantly because so many people made small donations to the campaign, unlike recent past Presidents, Obama won’t be, and I use the word beholden, though he may have said “in the pocket of big business and corporate America.” Approximately 3.4 million people made small donations (less than $200). Many of these were in the form of $5, $10 and $20 amounts. Together these donors raised $156 million.

It was at that moment I realized two things. 1) This President could have a huge impact on policy, especially in areas close to our hearts like health care, the environment, and economic development strategy-and he has. I expect that he will continue to do so. 2) Small donations can create a big impact if enough people believe the project to be a worthy one.

I have this worthy project. It’s called The Richard Nutbrown Memorial Fund. It is my hope that, (between some larger donations and a mass of smaller donations from students and those just starting out), those whose lives and thinking Professor Nutbrown contributed to will pay forward the favour and together we will raise enough or more than enough to launch this scholarship fund in his memory.

Richard was a firm believer in financial aid for students and he was a critical thinker. The fund will support both these areas. The critical thinking piece is especially important to me because I believe when we see governments becoming less transparent, restricting the press’ access to information which limits the general population’s understanding of what going on, not only in Canada, but around the world, then we need more critical thinkers. We need to encourage young people to question the world around them. This was what Professor Nutbrown hoped students would do in his classes. It was because he did this that on occasion he received standing ovations after a lecture. It is why he was listed in MacLean’s Magazine as one of UW’s favorite professors. It is why he received his distinguished teaching award. And it is why it is so important that we support others to become critical thinkers- just like he did.

It is my sincerest hope that those of you who knew him and those who benefited from his teachings will continue where he left off and you will honour him by supporting this fund. To those who may not have known him, but, share his passion for learning and/or critical thinking, please support this fund. To those who have already donated, please accept my most heartfelt thanks.

To learn more about my beloved Richard (aka Professor Nutbrown) and to donate to the Richard Nutbrown Fund please go to www.richardnutbrown.ca

The Guardian World News |24 March 2012 06.02 GMT

Despite the importance of early education in children’s development, Professor Nutbrown concluded that the work was seen as “low status, low paid, and low skilled”. Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

Nursery staff and childminders are allowed to work at pre-school groups without displaying basic literacy or numeracy skills,according to a Government-commissioned review.

Colleges demand more qualifications for students training to look after animals than for those who will care for babies, the report said.

Professor Cathy Nutbrown, an expert in early childhood education from Sheffield University, conducted the research and discovered that there was no requirement to demonstrate competence in English and mathematics.

These skills are important in supporting the development of babies and young children, as well as communicating with parents, she stated.

Professor Nutbrown found that although there are “examples of excellence”, there remained “substantial concerns” about the quality of training.

Despite the importance of early education in children’s development, she concluded that the work was seen as “low status, low paid, and low skilled”.

She wrote: “The hair or care stereotype still exists for many considering a course in the early years; yet many other sectors have raised their expectations in relation to enrolment.

“It must be a cause for concern that early years courses are often the easiest to enrol on and the courses that the students with the poorest academic records are sometimes steered towards.”

The Nutbrown Review quoted Dr Celia Greenway, from the University of Birmingham, who said: “For too long early years work has been perceived as an alternative to hairdressing and a suitable route for those who fail in school.”
The Unison union said: “By allowing non-qualified people to work in childcare settings we undermine the status of the qualified workforce. In nearly all professions, staff can only be employed if they are qualified.

“This should be the case in early education and childcare.”

Helen Perkins of Solihull College told the report that students must achieve a higher level of qualifications on their courses for animal care than child care.

“Nobody demands the same level of qualification before you can be left alone with a baby,” she said.

Meanwhile Professor Nutbrown expressed concern that some learning centres “push students through a course” even if they are not suited to a career in pre-school groups in a bid to achieve high completion rates.

She considered the introduction of a licence for nursery staff, but conceded it was unclear which organisation would manage such a scheme or how it could be funded.

Her interim report was published last week, and she will make her final recommendations in the summer.