Provincial Licencing

[Van]

There is no cost to licensing and the BC Gov does not control your fees so you can charge what you like and you fill out an attendance list for your daycare at the end of each month and send it to Victoria by email and the money is sent to your bank a/c, you don't get paid for days the daycare is closed- it works here and we are happy with the system

[Peacefulbird]

Dear cfred, I was at a Ece's conference the past weekend, it was sad to know that other provinces also will be challenged with changes, in Manitoba they're parents and professionals in the field are advocating for $10 a day daycare, and change their adult child ratios.

Quebec doesn't have anymore the popular $7 a day daycare, it is $20 more or less estimated on the family total income. The Quebec representative was concerned, because now parents instead placing their children in public run down daycares, they are choosing to pay a bit more and place.them in new private daycare centres. The proliferation of private centres are stimated on 300%.

These are mega corporations, and homedaycares are also being challenged by this corporations.

Our situation here in Ontario will also face something similar, it was anounced the creation of 100,000 opening spots in the term of five years. And big private corporations have a green light, or how else will this be solved? Parents and professionals are advocating to solve the childcare shortage, they're mobilizing all their efforts, letters, collecting signatures, and no they're celebrating the answer 100,000 spots.

Unfortunately, non for profits will also be challenged by the private sector. If we allow the proliferation of the private sector the will obviously have voice and power to move and change regulations to their favor.

We as homedaycare providers, we have.not even considered as part of their solution, the licensed sector is but even so, statistics show the need for qualit childcare is greater. The conference had good participation of daycare centres, now they.have the oportunity to expand, they will be financed and supported.

So far in my neighbourhood caregivers are already struggling to keep their spots filled. Our challenges are schools offering daycare and lately the new Kids and Co. Corporation opening doors. Our market have decreased.

Honestly I don't think we are done, we will have to face greater challenges now that the private sector.has a green light.

[cfred]

Hi Peacefulbird. You're right. Independent Childcare Providers (ICPs), are not represented at these meetings. We're working hard to gain a foothold, but man it's tough! We were able to get meetings with the Min of Ed and got one regulation changed, but I'll tell you, it took A LOT of work! There were 5-6 meetings which saw our executive committee members flying across the province to attend. And another several meetings including all the stakeholders. One of our execs is flying in from Ottawa for it as I type this. This is not to mention putting together a business plan, presentation, surveys, collection of data, cold calling, rallies, standing committee, press conferences, media interviews, personal expense, etc, etc, etc. For our group, when things are really rolling, it's a full time job on top of our full time jobs. We thought we were there, that we were being counted. To some extent, we are, but the licenced sector wants us gone. Period. They have the ear of the current government and, therefore, the media. The simple fact is that we'll have to fight hard, every step of the way, to gain recognition. We're gearing up again to campaign hard. The entire country is working toward a national framework...and we'd like our sector to be involved in that. We know the province could better utilize the money for those 100,000 spaces. We know that the $23,000,000 earmarked for 610 new spaces, though before the bill had even passed, we lost 690 ICPs...so they're replacing childcare spaces that ALREADY EXISTED and were self sustaining. But this isn't what the public sees. They see headlines and what the Liberals want them to see, but not what's really happening.

FYI, I don't mention all the work entailed for any pats on the back, but rather to illustrate the sheer volume of effort required for what feels like minimal forward movement. So you are absolutely correct; we have greater challenges ahead. But we've come a long way from nothing and I think we can do it. And I can say that sitting in those meetings watching agency reps roll their eyes at us, smirk and even laugh, at times tested my patience to the limit. Till the day I die, reminding them of their much higher infant mortality rate (Auditor General Report) was one of the most gratifying moments of my life. Knowing that we've rattled them enough to spy on us online was also quite satisfying. So I do think we're capable of great change, if we pull together. ICPs have already made it to Queen's Park

Of course, we're keeping in mind the upcoming election in 2 years. So the more data we can get now, the better. We need it. I've just put out a survey for providers and I'll post it here too, if you've not seen it yet. Let me say that just from the 300 responses we've had so far, the numbers are very compelling. Please share it with any providers you know. This is very important! I'll be getting another survey out for parents soon. I had hoped by the end of this week, but I think we want to align it with our website, which is almost ready...hopefully within a couple weeks. If you've not joined CICPO on FB, please do. Please pass on this survey to all providers and those who have had to close. I'm sorry to hear that your area is struggling with more competition. I doubt you're alone.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/35YDPN8

[kindertime]

Quebec doesn't have anymore the popular $7 a day daycare, it is $20 more or less estimated on the family total income. The Quebec representative was concerned, because now parents instead placing their children in public run down daycares, they are choosing to pay a bit more and place.them in new private daycare centres. The proliferation of private centres are stimated on 300%.

These are mega corporations, and homedaycares are also being challenged by this corporations.

I wish I'd been at that conference... you are absolutely right about the situation in Quebec. This isn't the proper thread for it here, so I won't get into it, but I personally don't see being in the subsidized system here in 5 years. And to be honest, maybe not even in 1 year. It's getting bad. However, the parents you say are willing to pay a bit more are actually not paying more in the private centers. That's the problem. The tax refund they get monthly often means they pay less for private.

As for the 300%, the percentage of private licenced spaces 5 years ago was 1%... it is now at 20%. I'm not good with math, but I think that's 2000%.

[Peacefulbird]

I'm very sorry to hear that. I thought I made a mistake taking my notes it was 3000%. It seemed ridiculous and I assumed it was 300%. It is true then.

[Peacefulbird]

It is overwhelming, here we go on a roller coaster again. Please read the Toronto Star , we need more spaces,(article). And if you can send your opinion do so. Why independent home daycares are being ignored?