Us Vs them, why?

[dodge__driver11]

I admin a local Daycare Provider only group on Facebook, and every time the "what are the pro's of being licensed versus private?" comes up someone always responds with:

"why are you so scared to become licensed?"

And then it slowly snowballs into people explaining.... that they have nothing to hide by being private, and the dogpiling begins. Each one has it's merits, can't we all just be friends?

Note: In SK the individual is licensed, we do not work with agencies, and we can run a program legally as an ICP.

[ebhappydc]

Hear ya. You're lucky to be in SK free to be ICP!

[cfred]

You're so lucky! I've been fighting for exactly that for 3 years now with CICPO....it's wearing very thin now.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

When first comment made about "being scared to become licensed" as Admin I would step in there and comment that this thread will be permitted if everyone is respectful but if it goes down hill like prior discussions, then the nasty comment people will be removed. Keep it polite and respectful ladies or leave.

[Peacefulbird]

I'm not really sure about some comments; but I always tell them that I'm not afraid of becoming licensed, and I clearly explain to them that what bothers me is a third party taking advantage of my hard work. I support best the independent licensing idea but not through agencies. I also have shown to parents the cost of licensing (so, they can see that the agencies move isn't just for "quality"and or "safety"; it is more of a financial conflict of interest.

[dodge__driver11]

For me: Even though I do not have to work through an agency it does make sense. Some of the regs just don't appeal to me: IE if I use playpens for sleeping I must be in the room to supervise at all times. If I wanted to provide extended hours I would need approval etc etc

I still provide all checks needed, and tbh I want MY PARENT to decide what is safe for THEM. I want them to MAKE INFORMED choices about care.

[Peacefulbird]

In regards, of your fb group. Perhaps you can explain to them that proffesionalism means being respectful to each others choices. They can probably make a list of pros and cons, without being offensive.

[Van]

In BC we are lucky not to need agencies at all and we can be Licensed or Lic not required without a 3rd party ready to cash in on our hard work

[Van]

Keep up the good fight in Ontario to be agent free as it sounds like the agencies are just a money grab group

[Peacefulbird]

They are. Growing their businesses in the backs of hard working women. Even with the latest announcement, with the possibility of being fee free to caregivers, we all know a third-party is not a solution. They will create more desk workers, which costs lot more. Their millionaire investment will go just to increase salaries of directors and /or agencies owners. Even the Non for profit sector is in it.

[Peacefulbird]

And believe me, personally it has been very stressful to work in this uncertain condition.

[cfred]

Peacefulbird, you're right about the stress! Ugh...I'll be glad when this is over! Apparently the government has put some base funding in place, or will be, to waive agency fees. But this doesn't deal with the parity between fees or autonomy. When we affiliate with agencies, we have 3 tiers of regulations (Ministry, Municipality, Agency) which is strangling the joy out of the job. We've heard of providers from one agency having to measure children's heads to make sure they can't fit in sand buckets! We're happy to follow Ministry mandated regulations, but that's far enough. Risk management is taking precedence over quality programming and childhood exploration.

We have one year left, then we'll have a better idea what will happen. If the Liberals win the next election, things will likely continue in this direction. If PCs win, we're golden :) Let the campaign season begin!

[Peacefulbird]

They have opened more centres in my neighbourhood, public and private ones. At this point it seems they've won. It seems I'll be closing next year. I have four going to school. And parents looking for care have decreased considerably.

[cfred]

They've opened more in my neighbourhood too. There are tonnes of them in Newmarket, with 2 being pretty much in my back yard and one a 10 minute walk. It still hasn't affected my enrollment. It's the 2 under 2 killing me. AND, the last 2 couples I interviewed started with agencies and centres and preferred what I offer. We know home daycare is the majority of families' preference. We're still in discussion about the registry with a third party (owner of cubbyspot.com). He's very keen to do this, but it's a big process which requires a lot of planning. We are also still working with the PCs. If they win the next election, things will be very different. Hang in there if you can :) There's a lot going on right now, though it seems quiet. CICPO's still working....we just can't put everything out in the spotlight right now. Just trust that we're still working to move things forward.

[Peacefulbird]

Thank you so much Cfred. All your work and support it is really appreciated.

[cfred]

You're welcome Peacefulbird. I know it's tough right now, but try to hang on. The next election is worth hanging in there for. Hopefully it goes in our favour :)

[Van]

They are. Growing their businesses in the backs of hard working women. Even with the latest announcement, with the possibility of being fee free to caregivers, we all know a third-party is not a solution. They will create more desk workers, which costs lot more. Their millionaire investment will go just to increase salaries of directors and /or agencies owners. Even the Non for profit sector is in it.

I did not realize this but it makes sense and the caregivers are forgotten about again