Canadian Maternity leave law change

[Suzie_Homemaker]

Again, depends on location, occupation, earnings. Not fair to assume that "most" go back early, because it just isn't the case. I would think those going back at age 10 mth go back because they went on mat leave early, not because they can't live on maternity benefits for an additional 2 months. Reality is that we will all have our own set of experiences but it won't speak to all. I'd assume the demographics of someone living in the GTA to be extremely different to those living in Atlantic Canada, so straight away thats contrary to what you are saying. Some people probably don't need to worry as much as others, but Ontario providers have already just taken a massive hit to their livelihood, not simply because of the ratio changes, but because it's only just happened and we are in a very acute stage of dealing with the ramifications of that.

To clarify - you mean it unfair for me make generalisation and yet you doing same base on own location, market? There pro and con of all area. GTA has bigger pool potential client than small Atlantic region. Islander earn much lower income than GTA area and deal with lot illegal under table provider. As in any area, we each have adapt to own market demand. I sorry you feel that input from people outside GTA insignificant to you but Ontario provider not the poor cousin struggle with changes that rest of us not facing. Sure Bill 10 now in Ontario and only just happened, but you also had two year of knowing it coming and phase in of rules. If you not able to adapt to change in that time, then really, how long you need? Surely even before Bill 10 happened you would known that Ontario ratios much higher than rest country and could see that at some stage change coming.

I find sometimes you very condescending toward people outside your region. Very mistaken if you feel only Ontario provider's have issues. I will not comment on your post in future since it clear you only want select view. Maybe to avoid other carer comment being dismissed it be helpful to note in your post that you just want specific opinion not all view.

Good luck with your daycare. I'm sure in your provincial population of at least 6.054 million people you able find 5 client if islander provider with 146,283 in entire province able to do same.

[bright sparks]

To clarify - you mean it unfair for me make generalisation and yet you doing same base on own location, market? There pro and con of all area. GTA has bigger pool potential client than small Atlantic region. Islander earn much lower income than GTA area and deal with lot illegal under table provider. As in any area, we each have adapt to own market demand. I sorry you feel that input from people outside GTA insignificant to you but Ontario provider not the poor cousin struggle with changes that rest of us not facing. Sure Bill 10 now in Ontario and only just happened, but you also had two year of knowing it coming and phase in of rules. If you not able to adapt to change in that time, then really, how long you need? Surely even before Bill 10 happened you would known that Ontario ratios much higher than rest country and could see that at some stage change coming.

I find sometimes you very condescending toward people outside your region. Very mistaken if you feel only Ontario provider's have issues. I will not comment on your post in future since it clear you only want select view. Maybe to avoid other carer comment being dismissed it be helpful to note in your post that you just want specific opinion not all view.

Good luck with your daycare. I'm sure in your provincial population of at least 6.054 million people you able find 5 client if islander provider with 146,283 in entire province able to do same.

Really...I did acknowledge that I was likely worrying unnecessarily but as we, Ontario providers are in acute stages of the financial impact, that is why I worry. I certainly didn't intend on coming across condescending, and I have only spoken to what I know as an Ontario provider, not assumed to know anything about other areas, other than what I know generally about the economy variances. I do not feel I am condescending to providers outside my area, I was asking for perspective from others which is what I got, I was in turn responding to comments with my own, not negating anyone which I feel you have just done to me...I also have at no point singled out Ontario providers as the only ones dealing with any type of issues. I have however highlighted that Ontario providers are dealing with the acute stages of change in this province, which at this time nobody else is going through and the challenges we are facing which may be different than other providers elsewhere. It wasn't a who has it harder than others, it's not a competition, but I purely vented based on my own experiences and observations in the market I am part of. It is one thing to have never known any other way versus a big change like this...and regardless, I only sought to point this out to highlight the shrinking age gap available to care for...yes other provinces already adhere to these ratios which I have never denied, simply that some of us are dealing with the sudden financial hardship which yes as much as possible we tried to prepare for, but once again as I said still being in the acute stages at times leaves a bitter taste in ones mouth. I also have not assumed to speak for any other provider in the province, only given the fact that I was part of an association of over 80 daycare providers in another region and having been involved to an extent with the Bill 10 changes, I made a judgement of my area not of anyone else's, based on my experience as a provider over a wider demographic over my different locations that is all, not a sweeping statement that speaks to all. You say I am condescending, I apologize as that was certainly never my intention, yet you make personal comments to me that are harsh because I spoke out on my disagreance. I wasn't dismissing others comments, just responding to some specifics that people noted which I either don't agree with or am experiencing differently. The kindergarten program adds to the issue with filling spots, so maybe that is an additional factor as to why spots are not filling.

I'm sure everyone will be effected differently, it isn't cut and try as there are so many differences in circumstances and hopefully I worry for nothing. Certainly didn't set out to condescend anyone so I apologize to all who feel that I did. I appreciate all comments regardless of whether I agree or not, I don't want select view Suzy, would you prefer that if I didn't agree with something I keep my opinion to myself? That is the impression I am getting from you, that I should only respond to those who agree with me, rather than have a response to something that I may not be inline with? It seems that my disagreance with posters comments has been interpreted by you to be me not wanting those views. I assure you that is not the case, I clearly should have held off venting so I could articulate myself better rather than typing my words when I was initially in a panic from the news article.

[MommaL]

I agree that infant spots tend to be easier to fill and there will always be a need and want for home daycare (especially since it's nearly impossible to get into a centre in my area).

Maybe I'm looking at this wrong, but if most parents do take advantage of the 18-month leave, won't it mean that the children utilizing our infant spots will be in that spot for less time than they are now, thus opening up the spot more quickly for another infant? That's not a bad thing.

[bright sparks]

I agree that infant spots tend to be easier to fill and there will always be a need and want for home daycare (especially since it's nearly impossible to get into a centre in my area).

Maybe I'm looking at this wrong, but if most parents do take advantage of the 18-month leave, won't it mean that the children utilizing our infant spots will be in that spot for less time than they are now, thus opening up the spot more quickly for another infant? That's not a bad thing.

I never looked at it like that...I guess I was so consumed with worry of how this would effect things that I didn't think about it like that. Could essentially help fill those over two spots given the child would move out of that age group in a very short time. Thanks for pointing that out!

[mickyc]

I agree that infant spots tend to be easier to fill and there will always be a need and want for home daycare (especially since it's nearly impossible to get into a centre in my area).

Maybe I'm looking at this wrong, but if most parents do take advantage of the 18-month leave, won't it mean that the children utilizing our infant spots will be in that spot for less time than they are now, thus opening up the spot more quickly for another infant? That's not a bad thing.

I agree! If a child starts at 18 months it's not too long until they are no longer classified as infant and then if an older child leaves then the max length of time a spot is potentially open would be 6 months instead of the year.

What also might happen is it creates a greater short term turnover. Child goes to home daycare until they can get in a center in 6 months as opposed to a year.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I agree! If a child starts at 18 months it's not too long until they are no longer classified as infant and then if an older child leaves then the max length of time a spot is potentially open would be 6 months instead of the year.

What also might happen is it creates a greater short term turnover. Child goes to home daycare until they can get in a center in 6 months as opposed to a year.

Do you mean parents using hdc from 18mths to 2 years than switching? This could happen but there's less centres that start at 2 years. Most seem to be 3 months or 18 months....which is an odd gap. To curb this for any situation, I think hdcp's who have a long term clause have the right idea to help minimize this from happening

[mickyc]

Do you mean parents using hdc from 18mths to 2 years than switching? This could happen but there's less centres that start at 2 years. Most seem to be 3 months or 18 months....which is an odd gap. To curb this for any situation, I think hdcp's who have a long term clause have the right idea to help minimize this from happening

Yes that's what I mean. Any kids that I have had then switched to a centre were all because spots don't usually open in the centre until after aged 2. I at least had them for a year-year1/2. Adding the long term clause like some ladies do would definitely weed out those who are just waiting for the centre to open a spot