LETTER – Use of AI in early childhood education needs to be accountable

AI-generated image of brain. (Image: Pixabay.com)

Dear Members of the Media, Community, and Child Care Sector,

I am writing to you as a concerned professional in the childcare field, community advocate, and mother, to bring attention to an issue that I believe deserves public discussion and scrutiny: the growing and largely unregulated use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within British Columbia’s childcare sector.

I recently sent the following concerns to the Minister of Education and Child Care, Premier David Eby, MLA Peter Milobar, and other community stakeholders. Given the potential implications for children, families, educators, confidentiality, and public trust, I believe this issue warrants broader public awareness and conversation.

AI is rapidly becoming integrated into workplace practices across many industries, including early learning and childcare. However, unlike other regulated professions that are actively developing standards for AI use, British Columbia’s licensed childcare sector currently appears to have little to no clear direction regarding appropriate, ethical, and accountable use of AI in environments responsible for the care and education of young children. I am increasingly concerned by the casual adoption of AI-generated content throughout the field, including:

• Marketing and promotional materials
• Parent communications and newsletters
• Professional documentation
• Program planning and educational content
• Administrative correspondence
• Staff-generated reports and observations

>My concerns are not merely theoretical. Recently, I interacted with a licensed childcare facility that sent home a completely AI-generated newsletter to families. In addition, the classroom environment contained numerous AI-generated images and displays, some of which included obvious spelling errors, inaccuracies, and content that had clearly not been carefully reviewed before being presented to children. As both a professional in this field and a parent with children in care, I found this deeply concerning.

When I raised these concerns with the facility, I was told, “It’s a new world, it’s a good tool.” While I recognize that AI can serve a purpose as an administrative support tool, I found the casual nature of this response troubling. The fact that a practice may be common does not necessarily make it ethical, appropriate, or aligned with the professional responsibilities we hold as educators entrusted with the care and education of young children. It also highlighted the absence of clear provincial guidance, accountability measures, and professional standards regarding AI use in licensed childcare settings.

Its use raises significant questions about authenticity, professional accountability, confidentiality, and ethical practice. As Early Childhood Educators, we are bound by the Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC) Code of Ethics, which places the well-being, dignity, privacy, and rights of children and families at the center of our practice. We are also expected to maintain professional integrity, exercise sound judgment, and protect confidential information.

At present, however, there appears to be no consistent provincial expectations outlining:

• Whether educators may input information about children into AI platforms.
• How confidentiality and privacy requirements apply when using AI tools.
• What information may or may not be shared with external AI systems.
• Whether AI-generated observations, assessments, learning stories, or communications are appropriate.
• How families are informed when AI has been used.
• How licensees monitor or govern staff use of AI.
• What accountability measures exist when AI use compromises confidentiality, professionalism, or quality of care.

This lack of guidance creates considerable risk. Families place immense trust in licensed childcare providers. They trust that communications are authentic, observations reflect genuine professional practice, and sensitive information about their children is handled with the highest degree of care. If AI is being used without regulation, transparency, or oversight, how can families be assured that this trust is being protected?

Furthermore, childcare facilities operate under licensing regulations designed to promote the health, safety, and well-being of children. Yet there appears to be a growing technological gap between these regulations and the realities of practice in the field. While we have detailed requirements governing physical environments, staffing qualifications, record keeping, and health procedures, there is little discussion surrounding the ethical implications of AI use within licensed care settings.

It is time for the Province to proactively address this issue through:

1. 1. Development of provincial AI guidelines specific to licensed childcare settings.
   2. Clear expectations for licensees regarding staff use of AI.
   3. Mandatory privacy and confidentiality standards related to AI platforms.
   4. Professional development and training on ethical AI practices.
   5. Transparency requirements when AI-generated content is used in communications or documentation.
   6. Review of existing licensing regulations to determine whether amendments are needed to address AI-related risks and accountability.
   7. Consultation with educators, families, privacy experts, licensing officers, and professional organizations before widespread AI adoption becomes normalized.

This is not a call to reject innovation. Rather, it is a call to ensure that technological advancement does not outpace ethical responsibility, professional accountability, and public trust. As both an Early Childhood Educator and a parent, I am concerned that AI adoption is occurring more quickly than the development of ethical standards, accountability measures, and transparency requirements. Families deserve to know that the information, documentation, communications, and educational materials connected to their children’s care are being created and managed in a manner that protects confidentiality, maintains professional integrity, and preserves public trust. Those of us entrusted with the care and education of young children have a responsibility to proceed thoughtfully and cautiously. The childcare sector deserves clear guidance, and families deserve assurance that the privacy, dignity, and interests of their children remain protected.

I respectfully urge you to consider this issue and initiate a provincial discussion regarding safe, ethical, and accountable AI use within British Columbia’s early childhood education and childcare sector.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
KAYLA BUTLER
Early Childhood Education Team Lead
Kamloops Campus, Sprott Shaw