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On July 16, the Kingston Caravan for Child Care brought home the issue of the closure of the child care centre at  St. Lawrence College.

Outpouring of Support for Kingston Caravan for Child Care

On a beautiful July afternoon, child care advocates, delegates from the Canadian Labour Congress Summer School, St. Lawrence Early Childhood Centre staff and various Kingston advocacy groups including Literacy Kingston and the Community Roundtable on Poverty Reduction had a terrific and fun protest.

With balloons, signs and honking cars, we leafleted up and down Princess Street in downtown Kingston. Our lively protest brought attention to the three Ontario community college child care centre closures.

Crisis in Child Care
Parents face long waiting lists and high fees. We need more child care, not less! This year, three Ontario community colleges are closing child care centres – St. Clair College in Windsor, Canadore College in North Bay and St. Lawrence College in Kingston.

Minister Gerretsen - Stand Up for Kingston Families!
St. Lawrence is the largest of the three college child care centres to close. We presented a giant card to Minister John Gerretsen’s staff, along with a envelope of letters from parents at the St. Lawrence Early Childhood Centre.

Why are St. Lawrence College, St. Clair College and Canadore College closing their child care programs?
Colleges have operated high quality programs with well paid staff and used those centres as field placements for students enrolled in their Early Childhood Education programs.

But, the lack of child care funding makes it difficult for anyone to run a high quality child care centre with well paid staff. So, in the college system, many child care programs have run a deficit.

Closing child care programs is a short sighted move by college administrators.

But if there was adequate child care funding through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, high quality child care programs would not have to close. Ontario needs Child Care Funding Now!

Many thanks to the Canadian Labour Congress, OPSEU Women’s Committee and local Kingston organizations. The Caravan couldn’t have happened without you! For more info contact [email protected]