Fee increases and Bill 10

[bright sparks]

I get your thinking, but I feel like it's going to be tough enough for parents to pay higher rates for in demand placements when the law is enforced and almost unfair to expect parents to pay a premium based on a law change that while is definitely on its way, is still a year away. That's a hell of a lot of money to pay when the rule isn't in place yet and while the ratios are not mandatory yet, still leave parents with the ability to go elsewhere. You have to be able to justify the increase and at this time while I understand your thought process, I do not feel that a fee increase at this time is right or justifiable.

I would be taking families on with full explanation of what is going on and possibly even write into their contract about the increase in rate you will be implementing at such time and the reason why. That is just my feeling. Unless every other provider increases their rates, you will price yourself out of the market because there will be plenty of other more affordable quality daycare options from what I think will be still a vast majority of providers who will not be raising their rates.

Halton region is already saturated in home daycare providers. I am familiar as I provided care for nearly 4 years there prior to moving to Niagara Region and I was a member of the Burlington chapter of Halton Childcare Providers Association so I am very aware of the masses available and how competitive the region already is.