Could there be changes to the CCEYA?

[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.

[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]

Thanks Arts and Crafts! I'm so happy to hear that! I believe we would be entitled to the same perks as any licensed agency.

Ottawamommy, that's what we thought, too. There is quite a bit of misunderstanding about the agency model and where the funds go. It actually is very expensive to run. Each 25 providers has an RECE who pays monthly visits for mentoring, support, safety inspections, etc. Having an RECE home visitor is mandatory with the licensing process and there's no way around it. However, we're seeking a small regulatory change to get it down to quarterly visits for those providers who don't require so much support. It's not the just Ministry inspections you pay for. We're weeding through all the muck and sorting out which agency policies are actually government mandated and which are inflated by the agencies themselves. See, quarterly visits are actually what is government mandated to begin with, so we actually have a decent shot at this. If we get the Coop off the ground, we will be offering a greatly streamlined model compared to the existing agency model. We just don't need what they're offering and it would be nice to have another option out there. But the ministry has said, flat out, that they will not be providing funding, hence the fees. That's what's going on with agencies too. There just isn't enough money to go around. From what I've seen, the majority of the funding goes into institutional care, but even that is dismal.

[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!

[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.

[lplplp]

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.

This is why I said that if the Ministry really wants oversight of all home daycares, they should figure it out themselves. There have been many, many inspectors visiting daycares in my area to make sure they are in compliance with the new laws. They should just continue this if they want to make sure everyone is in compliance. Like I said earlier, for me to have to pay to have myself inspected is a little crazy!

However, ottawamommy, what you're referring to is the current agency model. The co-op would be different and cost less.

[Artsand crafts]

This is why I said that if the Ministry really wants oversight of all home daycares, they should figure it out themselves. There have been many, many inspectors visiting daycares in my area to make sure they are in compliance with the new laws. They should just continue this if they want to make sure everyone is in compliance. Like I said earlier, for me to have to pay to have myself inspected is a little crazy!

The problem is that MOE is not looking to improve quality of daycare (or oversight) they are just trying to look like they are doing their job. This law would not have prevented the Vaughan toddler's death, but for some reason this is the best "solution" they found to look good in the media. For that reason I don't see why they would be interested on investing a penny on us. We now have to look for our ourselves and fortunately someone is doing so now through CIPCO. No model is perfect, I wish I have to pay not even a single dime to get "licensed", but money to pay an inspector (which is a minimum requirement) has to come from somewhere.

[Artsand crafts]

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!

I am sure you guys will do a great job. I watched the audiences before the law was approved and there were very educated and articulated ladies speaking on our behalf with great speeches. I think from then on we have changed they way some politicians look at us.

[betsy]

I am aware of this. Personally, I'm not sure if I really like the idea. It won't change the laws. If the CCEYA stays as is, parents will still have difficulty finding a space for their one year old whether we are licensed or not. The fee for the co-op may be less than the current agency model, but still a pretty hefty fee to pay in my opinion. If Universal Child Care comes into effect, the co-op would probably be beneficial so we can accept subsidized children. Other than having UCC, I'm not sure about needing a co-operative agency.

I think if you're licensed, you can accept subsidized children. Isn't that true?