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: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: Ratios should stay the same (ie 1 RECE per group)
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: The space can be converted with additional funding
A: I feel that a lot of these changes are being made without the input of many ECEs why is the college of ECES not handing out surveys and information. Also, I feel the govt has made these changes based on the full day learning only without the consideration of the non profit /profit sectors. I feel like there are a lot of changes happening in the profession (a lot good) however again only looking at the five full day learning. ECES in the private sector do not have the advantages as the ECES hired by the boards. Our extra training is done on our own time sometimes at our own cost if the ministry is going to take over they need to look at ALL areas of childcare not just full day learning! The ministry needs to take a look at what they keep preaching about…quality early learning where is the quality with higher ratios please tell me that!!!!
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: Have you asked the children? It is within their rights to be aware of these proposed changes. Are we living up to children’s right to participate?
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: I would not want to adapt to this model
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 set a higher standard for child care, and not propose lowering the standards claiing to be in line with other provinces. Increasing the ratios and group sizes does not make sense, especially when it detracts from the current quality of care. At the center that my child goes to, under the new regulations, the active room, would be lost, as it would be required as a nap room for 00-24 month olds that take 2 naps a day. On rainy days and harsh winters (like this winter) there would be no space for the children to have active play, and get exercise, burn energy, and learn new skills (running, jumping, social play) This will deeply impact the kids, their mood, health and social development.
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: The space does not have the capacity
A: If the ministry feels the need to change ratios and group size, I would propose that they change the youngest grouping to 0-2years with a maximum group size of 12 with 3 staff (ie 1:4) This would allow the centres to offer care to infants under the age of 1 with extra staff. The number of infants under 1 could be limited to 4. It would also address the number of transitions required by infants during their child care years.
I would also increase the ratio of qualified staff in each age grouping to ensure that at all times the group of children are in the care of a RECE.
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 feel RECE s need to be paid better. I do not feel there should be anybody in classroom that are not RECE unless they are students or volunteers. So many RECE leave this field because the pay is awful and RECE do not stand together looking for better wages. To many organization run childcare centres so they end up with too much administration, taking away from RECE pay. When people are paid well they at any job they give so much more. Children are so important why do people have such disdain for childcares.
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: The space can be converted with additional funding
A: In thinking about all the possible changes and the need for quality care provided by a RECE, we need to really value the work of the qualified staff. Retention and recruitment is a challenge because of lower wages and lack of benefits and pensions. Our government needs to really think about valuing the profession and the professionals working with our youngest citizens. “Child Care – Ontario Can’t WORK or LEARN without it”
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: I would not want to adapt to this model