3 under 3 AND 2 under 2!

[torontokids]

They are privately run and for profit. No one wants to join an agency. In my experience it is more newer providers, new immigrants or people with no experience that join an agency.

[cfred]

There are non profit here too Torontokids...they just aren't everywhere. I went to a round table discussion with other providers and the coordinator and I were discussing it.

[CrazyEight]

Nope! Agencies are not the same across the province. Some are for-profit, some are not, some are, by all accounts, great and supportive, some cut corners to line their own pockets whenever possible. They set different rates for providers and pay providers different amounts. For example, there are 2 agencies in my city - one charges clients $38/day and pays providers a max of $30 (for infants, less for toddlers, etc) and the other charges clients $40/day and only pays providers $26 or $24/day, depending on the age of the child.

[FunnyFarm]

*sigh* I am getting so fed up and tired of this Bill 10. It is Idiotic at best :P I consider myself lucky because I don't technically need to work, but I do it because I love it, and the write offs are a bonus! But seeing how this is affecting my friends in the same line of work who rely on the income, it's making me sick! I know we do this because we love the job and I just don't know why the <insert cussing> government has to mess around with it. They are so bloody clueless on how many lives this is going to impact. ok, rant done

[cfred]

I hope you're watching the committee online! Our ladies are really doing great! Have even reduced the Libs to immature, manipulative strategies a couple times. It was impressive...they handled the Libs like champs

That should make you feel better.

Oh...and in case you hadn't heard, the Ombudsman is supporting us now....yeaahhhhh

[Teagansmom]

Also just to mention a big problem within the agency model is that they are self regulating their providers. It makes sense to let some things slide as if they were to close the home they would lose money. It's a flawed system IMO

[cfred]

Absolutely Teagansmom! Our for profit agencies are a mess! I've mentioned on FB before, the agency dayhome on my street that I visited briefly. Egads! Reeked of cigarettes and pot, dirty, in disrepair, hardly any toys. She DID have a child's table (which I gave her) and 2 folding, child sized lawn chairs. THAT was an agency approved home (Wee Watch)! Try and explain how that's not just a money grab....

I felt last night's committee was really good. The vibe was positive and it seemed to me that the Libs are softening to some of our ideas...particularly the need for a new licensing model. I'm not sure we'll win out on the ratios (still hoping so), but the licensing would be a huge step. I'd like to see those ratios changed completely, in particular, the 2 under 2 and 3 under 3 currently in place of agencies. It's ridiculous!!! If those are in place in the name of safety, then large centres should be held to the same rules.

[CrazyEight]

And the agencies are not the same across the province - so saying we should all join an agency in order to be "regulated" and "be on an even playing field" and "adhere to the same standards across the board," (everything the agencies are blabbering about right now) doesn't make sense, because they are NOT the same! Providers would not all have to adhere to the same standards - they would be at the mercy of whatever agency happened to exist in their city.

[Teagansmom]

I found it great that all the ICPs stressed the ratios in centres and how can they any safe with the ratios they have. I absolutely loved Kim's speech about the "facts and opinions" about fires, ratios, and doing the job we do.

[torontokids]

where can you view the committee hearings?