Ontario Caregivers - daycare announcement due today

[torontokids]

Sent this to the Globe

To Whom it May Concern,

I am an unlicensed provider and run a successful home daycare in Toronto's west end. I have a Master's degree in Social Work with a specialization in children's mental health and child development. I opened a home daycare to be able to afford the luxury and privilege of staying home with my two young girls. This was a choice I made because I want to be with my girls but also a necessity because the cost of sending two children to daycare would leave nothing from my pay once daycare fees were paid.

Why isn’t the media covering the fact that if this new Bill gets introduced there will be very few infant daycare spaces available? We already have a shortage but some balance was created by unlicensed providers who could take more than 2 infants under the current rules. With new ratio rules for providers we can only care for 2 children under 2 yrs old which includes our own children. The majority of us will either shut down (we can’t make a living with only 2-3 children in our care) or increase our rates to account for the loss in income. Parents are being blinded to the whole story and are only being told how this Bill will “keep kids safe.” No one seems to be aware that their child’s spot at daycare may cease to exist once this is passed (I will have to terminate services for 2-3 kids depending on how the Bill is structured).

I am unlicensed by choice and I encourage my families to visit licensed providers supervised by Wee Watch etc before signing with me. Just because someone is with an agency, this does not mean their services/program is better. Families sign with me because they see what else is out there. I looked into licensed home daycare options when I went back to work after my first mat leave and my options were bleak at best. One provider had a climbing structure in some man’s apartment above hers where she brought the kids to play. When I called the agency they were not aware of this. Well what else don’t they know about? Another provider spoke little English and had no programming aside from a basket of toys on the floor. The last licensed daycare I visited had “Dora” on the TV and one child just screaming in an exersaucer. The provider didn’t pick him up or even acknowledge him. I was so uncomfortable I took my daughter and left. Licensing does not mean better!


With the proposed changes, it will make things very difficult to continue to stay home with my girls and keep my business viable. This Bill is intended to ensure there are no additional tragedies like we have seen. These "babysitters" that warehouse children should not be put in the same category as me or many other providers. I run a TV free, highly structured program with tons of experiential learning and outdoor time. My clients often choose me because of the large amount of time we spend outdoors (4+ hours in the summer, 2-3 in the winter. I am open to becoming licensed as I think accountability and inspections are important. I do not however want to become licensed through an agency. I do not need their support in finding clients, or to borrow their resources. I have independent insurance; I am CPR certified and have a current clean police check. I have tons of experience and education. I am not however interested in giving them a chunk of my daily fees. I would be open to a yearly licensing fee similar to what one pays a professional college (e.g. College of Social Workers) to cover inspections etc.

[giraffe]

Sent this to the Globe

To Whom it May Concern,

I am an unlicensed provider and run a successful home daycare in Toronto's west end. I have a Master's degree in Social Work with a specialization in children's mental health and child development. I opened a home daycare to be able to afford the luxury and privilege of staying home with my two young girls. This was a choice I made because I want to be with my girls but also a necessity because the cost of sending two children to daycare would leave nothing from my pay once daycare fees were paid.

Why isn’t the media covering the fact that if this new Bill gets introduced there will be very few infant daycare spaces available? We already have a shortage but some balance was created by unlicensed providers who could take more than 2 infants under the current rules. With new ratio rules for providers we can only care for 2 children under 2 yrs old which includes our own children. The majority of us will either shut down (we can’t make a living with only 2-3 children in our care) or increase our rates to account for the loss in income. Parents are being blinded to the whole story and are only being told how this Bill will “keep kids safe.” No one seems to be aware that their child’s spot at daycare may cease to exist once this is passed (I will have to terminate services for 2-3 kids depending on how the Bill is structured).

I am unlicensed by choice and I encourage my families to visit licensed providers supervised by Wee Watch etc before signing with me. Just because someone is with an agency, this does not mean their services/program is better. Families sign with me because they see what else is out there. I looked into licensed home daycare options when I went back to work after my first mat leave and my options were bleak at best. One provider had a climbing structure in some man’s apartment above hers where she brought the kids to play. When I called the agency they were not aware of this. Well what else don’t they know about? Another provider spoke little English and had no programming aside from a basket of toys on the floor. The last licensed daycare I visited had “Dora” on the TV and one child just screaming in an exersaucer. The provider didn’t pick him up or even acknowledge him. I was so uncomfortable I took my daughter and left. Licensing does not mean better!


With the proposed changes, it will make things very difficult to continue to stay home with my girls and keep my business viable. This Bill is intended to ensure there are no additional tragedies like we have seen. These "babysitters" that warehouse children should not be put in the same category as me or many other providers. I run a TV free, highly structured program with tons of experiential learning and outdoor time. My clients often choose me because of the large amount of time we spend outdoors (4+ hours in the summer, 2-3 in the winter. I am open to becoming licensed as I think accountability and inspections are important. I do not however want to become licensed through an agency. I do not need their support in finding clients, or to borrow their resources. I have independent insurance; I am CPR certified and have a current clean police check. I have tons of experience and education. I am not however interested in giving them a chunk of my daily fees. I would be open to a yearly licensing fee similar to what one pays a professional college (e.g. College of Social Workers) to cover inspections etc.

Love love!! You should send it everywhere

[Jilly]

Love love!! You should send it everywhere

Well said!

[momofnerds]

you know why they want to keep this hush hush, so that people don't rally against the bill. the more people that find out the more uproar there is going to be.

[crafty]

Well it's done ! My letter is sent out .Tonight I am working on info. for my families. Thanks Treeholm for editing

''Dear Members of the Legislative Assembly,


As a private ''unregulated'' home daycare provider, it is with great concern I am writing to you today regarding the current proposition of BILL 143. From my understanding this bill stipulates;


1- An unlicensed home daycare quota of children allowed IN CARE allows for 5 children, INCLUDING this home daycare provider’s own children IF UNDER THE AGE OF 6. If my understanding is correct than I will have to TERMINATE CARE for one of my families as I currently care for 4 children (excluding my own). After discussing this matter with an official at the ministry, there will be no ''grace'' period or grandfather clause for children already in care. I wonder ... How many more families will be forced to take unscheduled holidays from work as their daycare provider is NO LONGER OPERATING LEGALLY? Is there a plan for these families? To whom should I refer them?


I also FAIL to see the reasoning behind this particular rule. I understand the need for safe regulations, but I've been managing and caring for 6 children between the ages of 1 and 4 for the past 2 years and I must say this is my ideal situation. The income permits me to buy quality foods, extra crafting materials, safe and new materials, and to get updated training in CPR or other classes. Also the fact that I can care for an EVEN number of children helps me pair them in age groups and monitor activities, as well as learning abilities, closely and adequately. So, how did this number 5 came into play; how was it determined to be ideal and why?


Furthermore, this will decrease my income drastically on very short notice and may actually force me out of this business. I wonder if there has been a poll taken. To just how many more families this will happen and what has been, or will be, put in place to support them?


I do agree our current system and laws require a serious and effective change. It is very sad and unacceptable that we have let so many fatal tragedies happen in private home daycares. We need better monitoring, clearer laws, rules, and guidelines. I just fail to see this particular one actually making a positive difference. Did most of these fatal tragedies not happen in already ILLEGAL daycares with other safety issues than the actual current quotas? In which of these situations was a daycare fatality caused by an unlicensed daycare with the legal current number of children in care? If people seemed to be misinformed about the current law, how will the government ensure its population is aware of this new one? Only one of my families is aware of this upcoming new legislation and no later than this morning, I informed a potential client of it as well as two fellow daycare providers. Which tells me... not enough has been done to INFORM or EDUCATE or RESEARCHED


- The second issue I have with this BILL 143 is again regarding quotas. No more than 2 children under the age of 2 (I assume 24 months and under) can be cared for. This tells me that there will be a huge decrease in spaces available for children under the age of 2. If this comes to pass and is effective immediately, a lot of families will be left with no proper daycare services. Do we have a plan for these families with no childcare services? Where do I refer the clients I will need to refuse and terminate. Many schools are now offering preschool at 3.5 years old. That leaves business such as mine with very limited client prospects as well. I again fail to see how this suggestion has been determined ideal?


3- Where is the incentive to BECOME licensed. I believe these changes were put in place to make licensing more appealing to private home daycares; sorry to say that again, I fail to see it. Would we not want everyone to become licensed and monitored closely? That's how we prevent fatalities in my opinion; however, my local agencies’ policies have not changed. Although I would be allowed ONE more child, the percentage of fees taken by the agency does not cover the loss of one space. That's not even looking at unpaid vacation time, extra insurance coverage.... both of which factor in immensely. As for government licensing, the building requirements, and the zoning requirements are not feasible. I live in a rural community. My house is a century home, it has updated plumbing, and heating, etc. but was not built with the same regulations as today’s homes. The cost of renovations, I assume, would not be worth it.


What looks most appealing right now is remaining unlicensed and raising my fees drastically, which will affect local families as well.


To sum up, the future if this business looks fairly gloomy and raise lots of concerns about whether it will even be feasible anymore. I have 2 children under the age of 5 and hopefully one on the way soon; however, with the future of my main income in jeopardy I question now my decisions regarding my home daycare business and family's financial situation. I urge you to revisit this legislation and consider the pitfalls if may bring. Children safety should not be taken lightly, however do these changes really address the issue ?''

[Jilly]

Well said!

[momofnerds]

ok, not sure if this is true or not, but on the one site they said we may be able to grandfather in our kids (sorry dck's) if we have contracts with them with no end dates. Its the facebook site, so just incase make sure all your contracts are up to date and anyone signing kids for next year, get them to sign this year, you never know.

[crafty]

ok, not sure if this is true or not, but on the one site they said we may be able to grandfather in our kids (sorry dck's) if we have contracts with them with no end dates. Its the facebook site, so just incase make sure all your contracts are up to date and anyone signing kids for next year, get them to sign this year, you never know.

I sure hope so but when I spoke to the ministry, this was in NO WAY an option.

[momofnerds]

I sure hope so but when I spoke to the ministry, this was in NO WAY an option.

of course the ministry is going to say that, because they are pushing for black and white, not inbetween

[Mama of 1]

I want to know why the college of ECES is doing nothing to support us