Could there be changes to the CCEYA?

[cfred]

"The decision to become licensed is a purely personal one. Some would see no benefits to it and others would like the option of the 6th child accepting families on subsidized care, being provided ongoing professional development and more without losing the autonomy enjoyed by icps. To some these opportunities are worth a membership fee, to others not so much. But over all the benefit of the cooperative is to provide icps with another option where, currently there are only two: independent or agency affiliated."

Heidi Higgins

[lplplp]

"The decision to become licensed is a purely personal one. Some would see no benefits to it and others would like the option of the 6th child accepting families on subsidized care, being provided ongoing professional development and more without losing the autonomy enjoyed by icps. To some these opportunities are worth a membership fee, to others not so much. But over all the benefit of the cooperative is to provide icps with another option where, currently there are only two: independent or agency affiliated."

Heidi Higgins

To me, the co-op would push the providers that wish to remain completely independent, out of the business. I don't really see it as an 'option'. If it happens, parents would not understand why you do not want to be a part of the agency that has been made specifically for ICPs. Parents will be inclined to choose a provider that is with the agency which will make it very difficult for the other providers that do not wish to join the agency.

[lplplp]

If the co-op came to light today, with the 2 daycare children I have currently, my rates would have to increase by $2.15/day. We all go through periods of time when we have empty spaces for a little while as well. In my opinion, the daily rate would have to be raised by more than you stated to be sure we could cover the cost of the co-op. If the co-op existed today and I raised my rates, that $2.15 a day adds up to another $500 a year for the parent. I understand we won't be forced to join. But, if it comes to fruition it will feel like I have to in order to stay in business. I do appreciate that someone out there is trying to come up with a solution for us. Not everyone will agree with all the details of it though. How would the co-op force the bad apples out of the business? For sure, the bad providers (most of them anyway), would not join the co-op which means there will still be no oversight for them. And, if many good providers choose not to join the agency, how would they know who the good and bad providers are? Someone would have to file a complaint with the ministry about a bad provider which can be done already.

[babydom]

If I got away with increasing my rates 1$ a day to have an extra 100$ a mth.....I'd love to keep that 100$ for myself not give it away to the co-op. Just saying

[kindertime]

I know I've asked this before, and I don't think the NDP even have this answer yet, but if they do implement a Universal Childcare plan at $15/day, how much will the daycare get?

The way it works in Quebec, if a person wants to open a home daycare, they have 2 choices. Be subsidized or be private. Private is like the rest of the country; charge whatever you want and operate how you want, with the only restriction being a max of 6 kids under age 9. Any parent who wants to go to a private daycare can and they pay the full fee.

If you are recognized (licenced and subsidized) then ALL of the parents who come your daycare (if they are Quebec residents) are eligible. So it's not the child who brings the subsidy with them from daycare to daycare, it's the daycare who offers subsidized spaces. I am guessing... the UCC that the NDP is proposing will be like that.

In my area, the coordinating office that recognizes us and distributes the subsidy is granted about 200 home childcare spaces. They licence home daycares to fill them. I am one of them. I charge the parents $7.30/day and I get an additional $25.85/day in subsidy. In fact, it is illegal for me to charge "full fee" to any parent who is a Quebec resident.

The subsidy amount is what you should be asking your local NDP candidate about. If the parents are paying you the $15/day, what will the government kick in on top of it?

Before we unionized, the subsidy was $19/day. And the parents paid $7. AND - it is important to note that ALL food and ALL supplies are included in that price. There are very strict rules about what we are and aren't allowed to charge extra for. So now because of the union, the subsidy is $25.85 and the parents pay $7.30 (but the government claws back that $.30 on every pay so we only still get the $7.) These amounts are the same across the whole province, city and country. High-end and low-end.

The reason I'm saying this, cuz I know no one in the rest of the country wants to do anything like Quebec... is just be careful what you wish for. If today, a private ICP in Toronto can easily charge $50/day and a private ICP in rural Saskatchewan can only charge $20/day.... there is the potential for a lot of loss of income if the UCC comes into force. Because likely.... it is my guess, that the amount paid by the government to the newly subsidized childcare provider in Toronto will not be even remotely close to $50/day. It is possible the subsidy amounts will vary by province, but maybe not for long.

[cfred]

I don't think it will be a case of 'everyone' jumping on board with the Coop. Like I mentioned briefly, we have a specific demographic that will be our more likely group. So far as pushing out the poor providers, I'm not stating that the Coop is going to be the sole reason for pushing them out. BUT, it will be another blow against them. CICPO isn't just about the Coop. We've also spearheaded a major public awareness campaign to (for lack of a better term) clear the names and reinforce the reputations of all ICPs. The video presentation I just put together will also be going out on social media (FB, Twitter, Youtube, etc) to further promote our sector. The coop will help with that. If everyone came on board, it would undoubtedly push them out, but as it stands, that likely won't happen...but every little bit helps. And after the Coop is either granted or not, there will, I'm sure, be even MORE public awareness and media coverage.

Don't start looking at this as an US vs YOU thing. It isn't. We're on the side of all dedicated ICPs. But the coop is something many of us want and we feel it's a good alternative to have. However, it would be nice if all providers, even if not affiliated with the Cooperative, lent their support to the group as a whole, as they've certainly lent their support to all of us. This is much bigger than the Cooperative. It' about combating the negative image put out there by the government, the agencies and the childcare advocates.

[lplplp]

I don't think it will be a case of 'everyone' jumping on board with the Coop. Like I mentioned briefly, we have a specific demographic that will be our more likely group. So far as pushing out the poor providers, I'm not stating that the Coop is going to be the sole reason for pushing them out. BUT, it will be another blow against them. CICPO isn't just about the Coop. We've also spearheaded a major public awareness campaign to (for lack of a better term) clear the names and reinforce the reputations of all ICPs. The video presentation I just put together will also be going out on social media (FB, Twitter, Youtube, etc) to further promote our sector. The coop will help with that. If everyone came on board, it would undoubtedly push them out, but as it stands, that likely won't happen...but every little bit helps. And after the Coop is either granted or not, there will, I'm sure, be even MORE public awareness and media coverage.

Don't start looking at this as an US vs YOU thing. It isn't. We're on the side of all dedicated ICPs. But the coop is something many of us want and we feel it's a good alternative to have. However, it would be nice if all providers, even if not affiliated with the Cooperative, lent their support to the group as a whole, as they've certainly lent their support to all of us. This is much bigger than the Cooperative. It' about combating the negative image put out there by the government, the agencies and the childcare advocates.

I do not think its you vs. us. That is clearly not the case. As I said, I am happy that someone is trying to find a solution for us. I personally, just see problems with this and I'm just stating my point of view on it. Some providers will be excited about the co-op. Some will not be.

[Artsand crafts]

Cfred, thank you for all the great work that has bring us as far as MOE now hearing ICP proposals. I will definitely join a Co-op if that is approved. I have a question, has there been any talks about the 12 kids 2 caregivers model? I would be willing to pay on the high end of the fee if that model is in the table. Lots of parents in my area are very interested on licensed daycare and willing to pay for it and there would be a great demand I believe if I could get my daycare "licensed".

[ottawamommy]

I just wanted to point something out. The monthly fee to be associated with an agency is extremely high and should be illegal. There is NO WAY it costs the agency to do 2 yearly inspections a year 500-1000 dollars a month when the ministry of education is targeting and doing RANDOM inspections for home daycare providers (I had mine last month). They are inspecting us by targeting to make sure we are not "illegal' so why even pay an agency when we are technically getting the inspection for free!

Kindertime is right I asked an agency what I would take home and they said $25 a day lol meanwhile the going rate is 35-50 in my area.

[cfred]

Arts and Crafts...I'll come in and update after the meeting on the 15th. Keep an eye out. Really, we all felt very good about the response from the head of the Early Years Division after our last meeting (enough that we high fived when we got out of eyesight ) We have cogent arguments and a solid foundation of research...not to mention and ultra cute and squishy video to get everyone 'in the mood' to hear us out. We intend to show them how amazing our sector really is. We're willing to bet they're going to be blown away when they see what we really offer!