Ontario Caregivers - daycare announcement due today

[Crayola kiddies]

No, you have 4 kids under 3 yrs old. It probably wouldn't come into effect that quickly though so your 2.8 will be 3 soon enough but as it stands now, you would have to get rid of one

yup you are right ...but if they pass this I have no intention of going with an agency so I would just drop a kid....and I know exactly which one would get turfed......muahhhah ahaha

[Other Mummy]

Have they even thought of all the ramifications of these proposed changes. The increase in cost to parents (you can be dammed sure my rates will go sky high in order to allow only 3 spots. My own two girls are 3 and 4.5yrs old, so I guess I'd have to let go of 2 dck's.). So increased cost, more people going underground so to speak (no receipts/etc.), or leaving this business all together.

This is a cash grab. Plain and simple. If they wanted to have safer daycares, there are better ways which benefit the business owners, the consumers and the children. License private daycare providers, but allow them to maintain their independence (not working for an agency). Why is this so hard? Oh yes...money.

[jodaycare]

I found this and seems that still needs to be approved:

http://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2013/1...ation-act.html

After reading that, I guess if it becomes law, I will become a "babysitter".

[Fun&care]

Your agencies charge $10/day/child???? That's obscene.

In AB our agencies are funded by the gov't through child and family services; it's really the only reason it actually works. I pay them $70/month, and $40 of that is insurance. It basically works out to $10/child/month, and I only have 3 kids (not including my own). I believe the agency staff is paid by the government, with the agency fees mainly going to admin stuff. They also run 6 PD trainings a year.

We're limited to 6 including our own kids, 2 under 2, 3 under 3. It does result in a lot of 1 year olds without care, but we still have non-accredited day homes with no restrictions on ages. One of my neighbours runs one and she's got mainly under 2s.

We also have levels of accreditation based on education and experience, and the government pays top-up wages to providers with agencies, up to $6.62/hr of time you have kids in your home. We also get $2500 (meant to be spent on things for the program, but it's not monitored) after the completion of one year (for the first two years), and a bonus for returning to child care after being gone for some period of time - it didn't apply to me so I'm not sure what the time frame is. I need to do a lot of work (submit meal and program plans, have monthly visits, attend PD), but the extra money FAR outweighs the extra hour it takes me a week.

Bottom line is if the government it going to go ahead with such tight restrictions, they need to cough up some incentive programs. They're going to have A LOT of providers jumping ship as it just won't be financially beneficial or feasible at all. What happens to the economy when a significant number of parents need to quit because they can no longer find or afford childcare? Not a good situation.

I may have been misinformed about the 10$ per day but I did read in an article from I think the globe and mail that said agencies take up to 30% of your pay. I agree completely that they need to cough up some incentive programs and I mean ASAP, instead of working AGAINST us like we are the enemy or something.

There is absolutely NO support out there for us, we have to find our own support when starting up and in the duration of running our daycares and now out of the blue we are being SLAMMED... for what...instead of being offered help and much needed support and guidelines.

You always hear everywhere that kids are the most important thing in the world and that their first six years are the most important but they sure don't give a crap about the people who care for them.

[jodaycare]

Have they even thought of all the ramifications of these proposed changes. The increase in cost to parents (you can be dammed sure my rates will go sky high in order to allow only 3 spots. My own two girls are 3 and 4.5yrs old, so I guess I'd have to let go of 2 dck's.). So increased cost, more people going underground so to speak (no receipts/etc.), or leaving this business all together.

This is a cash grab. Plain and simple. If they wanted to have safer daycares, there are better ways which benefit the business owners, the consumers and the children. License private daycare providers, but allow them to maintain their independence (not working for an agency). Why is this so hard? Oh yes...money.

My thoughts exactly!!!!!!!

[Other Mummy]

After reading that, I guess if it becomes law, I will become a "babysitter".

You and me as well jodaycare. No receipts and I can charge $15/per hour. Wow this will really benefit everybody (except the parents).

[cfred]

Maybe it's a good time to write to our MPs and Queen's Park??? I'm going to construct a letter over the next couple days. Basically, I just want it known that I am in favour of regulations, but not like this. The regulations must be reasonable and feasible within the home daycare industry. Really, our industry IS different than the daycare industry. It has been my experience that this is why I'm chosen by my clients. They've all said it - they wanted them in a home, not an institution. Many like my specific style, curriculum, menu. Forcing us into agencies, pretty much removes every daycare's individuality. In addition, I think I'd like to ask my clients (past and current) to write in as well. Does anyone think this might be a good idea on a much larger scale???

[Sassygirl]

Does anyone know for certain WHEN this is effective? Is it as of now?

[Artsand crafts]

You and me as well jodaycare. No receipts and I can charge $15/per hour. Wow this will really benefit everybody (except the parents).

Not a bad idea. Nannies charge here from $12 to $20 per hour depending on experience, credentials, age, etc. What I don't like is that you have to follow employers rules most of the time. I would try to increase fees for the kids left first and this could be another option while finding something else. I will be dropping 4 kids and potentially take care of a 12 mo in their house. How many kids like this will be out of daycare or parents having to pay higher fees.

[Other Mummy]

We should unite and try to figure out a way to get that message out there. How is everyone about approaching their clients to construct a letter the way cfred suggested? cfred, would you be willing to share your thoughts about this letter as a group?

Does anyone favor the idea of a group get together. Grass Roots folks. Maybe do a group interview for my "favorite" daily. The Toronto Star. Get some quotes from our clients about how they feel about these proposed changes. Force them to look at the other side of the coin so to speak.