On December 19, 2013, Minister of Education proposed regulatory changes, which are subject to a 45 day comment period.
The proposed regulation changes directly affect children, communities, RECEs and child care centres.
By completing the short survey, we can gain a better understanding on how the child care community feels about the proposed changes to ratios, mixed groupings and staffing.
Do you like this survey?
A: I really wish those proposing the changes would take the time to spend a day in an RECEs shoes. We’re over worked, under paid, hold precious lives in our hands every single day and someone thinks it’s a good idea to give us more responsibility. Staff retention is already at a critical point in Ontario. Someone PLEASE finally stop the insanity and truly give children the care they deserve.
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: Currently RECE’s are over worked and underpaid. There is not enough hours in the day to keep up with all the expectations. With Maternity leave being 12 months, if the infant age was 0-12 months, there would be a gaping hole in the system. Centre’s would not be able to fill their infant program and keep them full. As a result Centre’s would be looking at a loss of income, lay-offs and reduction of staff hours.
A: The space does not have the capacity
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: I don’t believe these proposed changes allow enough staff to care for the children and the burden of responsibility would be too great without increasing the size of the caregivers. Our most important future is our children; the least we can do is provide sufficient care for them.
A: Accessibility is vitally important but it cannot outweigh quality care and the safety of the children in our care. We need to address ALL areas and come up with the best solution for the children in our care.
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: The space does not have the capacity
A: Je ne crois pas que c’est une bonne idée de diminuer les ratios et d’augmenter les groupes d’âges
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: I am concerned about how the Municipalities would fund child care. If the old ratios are an option then will they fund at the old ratios or would the rate automatically change at 12 months of age for example forcing centres to move to the new system.
A: We appreciate the hard work that is going into making these changes and the opportunity for input. Getting updates well ahead gives allows us time to play with the numbers and see what we think will work for our programs.
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: The space does not have the capacity
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: The space does not have the capacity
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: overall I see them as changes that will best assist schools should they want to begin offering childcare within the school itself and keep their costs down. They are currently providing childcare with the addition of full day learning as junior and senior kindergarten are not mandatory educational programs and they provide a program based on play.
A: Ratios should stay the same (ie 1 RECE per group)
A: The space can be converted with ease
A: To quote one of my (great) staff, when presented with this document:
” Ok, no problem, we’ll go back to theme based planning. It will be fine if you don’t care about quality of care. We will be able to keep them alive.” These staff are not afraid of hard work – they do it every day. They do not want their workload increased, with a loss of quality interactions and experiences for the children, for the sake of saving a few dollars. To meet the individual needs of the children, and express to families how we meet those needs, will be severely compromised with significant numbers of younger children mixed in these age groups. Childcare programs are already struggling to find and keep good quality staff, with more migrating to Boards of Education, and not choosing childcare as a career path. To add this to the workload invites more to leave the field as they are set up to fail in offering excellence in care, and are forced to lower their standards and expectations in order to be able to get through the day.