Ontario Caregivers - daycare announcement due today

[Fun&care]

Here's an idea- why don't we rally up and start our OWN agency???

[playfelt]

Here's an idea- why don't we rally up and start our OWN agency???

When I lived in Calgary I did daycare under a wonderful agency (Jan-Pat Satellite Family Day Homes). Not being any the wiser, when we were transferred to Ottawa I joined an agency here. Different as night and day and not for the better. I got out of it as soon as I could. There for sure is a better way to run an agency and you may be on to something. Something along the ideas of cooperative just might work.

Problem is the rules are still going to be the same. In essence we are being asked to follow the agency rules too so whether we do join an agency or not the rules will be the same. The being allowed 6 is a joke because of the full day JK and the schools taking over the over age 6 kids. I can't understand how current agency caregivers are going to manage as they are going to be harmed more than us given the fee to the agency per child issue.

[treeholm]

I can't see any information on how to become licensed... I would never go with an agency like Wee Watch.. I've heard too many horror stories. So, there would have to be an option to become privately licensed, right? I also have a swimming pool, which I believe would be a problem. AND, I will have two one-year olds, and two two-year olds next year, with an occasional one-year old grandson. I started this business to look after my grandchildren, whom I don't charge. I would have to get rid of my paying customers, since both my grand-babies are one and under. Oh well...

I can see that parents are going to go nuts! I have a Mom on mat leave sending her 18 month old a few days a week just to hold a spot for her newborn, who would start next August. Now, I would have to tell her neither one of her children can continue.... Ridiculous....

[treeholm]

yes, I can't see the advantage of joining an agency. I have 4 children under 2. Even with an agency, wouldn't I have to fire my clients? My own grandchildren, who do not pay, are under 2. One of them only comes a few times a week since his Mom is on mat leave, but I have a space for him, that he shares with my 4 year old granddaughter, who only has a space for PA days and summer vacation. Because he comes sometimes though, and my one year old is here every day, I would not be able to take my other 4 who are two and under. I never have more than 5 at one time, but I do often have all 5 under two... At what point do we have to let parents know they need to find alternate care? If I were to go with an agency, I still wouldn't be able to keep any of my paying customers, so I would have to close. I have no objection to being licensed, per se, I just can't see how we can make the ratios work since it is mostly kids under three needing care.

[Fun&care]

To be honest, I don't see how this could possibly go through. The age restrictions are a joke and there is no way they can do that to parents. I think if they REALLY want to give us an incentive to be licensed then drop the age restrictions for LICENSED daycares plus allow the 6 kids including your own. Just no age restrictions or lesser ones. And then this is where we start our own agencies!

There is absolutely no incentive in being licensed by just adding 1 child because most of us don't want school aged kids and in my area, I've had a hard time filling those spots because schools offer programs of their own already.

Obviously this "plan" was drawn up by people who don't know squat about childcare.

[treeholm]

I agree that it really can't possibly go through... if you think with reason and logic...but we are talking about the government....
In any case, has anyone heard anything about a timeline? I would want to give my parents as much notice as I can if I need to terminate them, but I don't want to alarm them unnecessarily. They won't be able to find care very easily, and that worries me.

[Other Mummy]

I will be writing an email to my local MPP. This has not been thought out properly and carefully. Where are all the daycare children going to go once this bill gets passed? Are they creating MORE licensed daycare centres. Hardly. So what are people going to do?

Instead of offering incentives, education and programs for daycare providers (which will benefit the parents, children and providers) they are essentially stripping the foundations that our clients relay on under the guise of "Better and safer childcare" .

I urge you all to write your local MPP. Do it NOW. Gripping about it will not fix anything. Get letters from your clients. We need to be a voice...not only for ourselves but for all our Daycare kids. I can't imagine the scrambling my daycare clients will be doing if this Bill goes through.

[gravy_train]

So how are you guys addressing parents concerns over these proposed changes? I had one family texting me about it at 8pm yesterday (which I will have to address separately)!

[treeholm]

I am hoping to find out how soon these changes would be expected to take effect before I have to let parents know they need to find alternate care... I am worried that they will find out about it on the news first, and then I will have no choice but to tell them that if the legislation is approved, I will no longer be able to care for their children... I have a great relationship with my parents, and they chose me for very specific reasons like organic food and the fact that I am a grandma. They do not want to go to a daycare centre, nor are there spaces available anyway....

[crafty]

I just cant believe this ! It's stressing me out. Here I was planning my openings and options for 2014 and now ... after these possible age restrictions I may be forced to closed. I've been opened for only 2 years and the first year was rough financially ... I am still struggling to make up for that first year even with a full daycare now. There is no way I can afford only to care for 3 children and there is no incentive for me to go with the agency in my area. The pay is lesser and I have a pool so I am not even sure I would get a license with them ... Ok if I have to the pool will go but even if I would get licensed they take such a big cut for only one more child allowed it would not make much difference. And I am good darn it ! I am a kick ass daycare provider and I DONT want to DO anything else. I LOVE MY JOB AND MY KIDS !! Arg ! So frustrating and stressful !! Definitely will try to get my voice heard !!