Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           MEDIA ADVISORY             JANUARY 25, 2010

Public meeting to discuss proposed shutdown of city child care centres

WINDSOR, Ont.—The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC) will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, January 26 for concerned parents and others to discuss the City of Windsor’s proposal to shut down seven municipal child care centres plus two satellites. The urgency of the meeting is underscored by the fact that City Council will vote on the proposal February 1.

“The city hasn’t done a proper public consultation or assessment of possible options in its report before it takes such a drastic measure,” said Andrea Calver, Coordinator of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care.  “The province is bringing in a new Early Learning Program and the next phase of that includes municipal child care as a key component.”

Calver added that the report contains no information about the quality of alternatives such as for-profit child care centres, especially given recent studies that show municipal and non-profit child care delivers the highest quality of care and learning for children.

Parents and other concerned residents are welcome to attend this important meeting, and local media are also invited to cover this event.

DATE:            Tuesday, January 26, 2010

TIME:             7:00 p.m.

PLACE:          Club Alouette, 2418 Central Avenue, Windsor

The meeting will inform parents and other concerned residents about the steps they can take to prevent local child care centres from shutting down in their community.