Parents packed an auditorium on Tuesday January 24 to speak about the future of child care in Peel. On Thursday, the Peel Regional Council will consider a motion to close its 12 regionally- run child care centres.
Liza Martinez  challenged a consultant’s report premised on the need for the regional centres to close this September as a direct result of four and five year-old's leaving child care and enrolling in the province’s full-day kindergarten program. “I just don’t buy that argument. There are so many families who don’t have access to child care in Peel and it will be 2014 before the kindergarten is fully operational.”
“Peel Region has been a leader in early learning and child care. Even considering closing 12 child care, is a reckless decision. But the process of trying to ram this through in four days is hasty and lacks transparency. The region says full-day kindergarten means Peel doesn’t need as much child care. But that is not true – Peel is an under served area that need more high quality child care”, said Andrea Calver - Coordinator, Ontario Coalition For Better Child Care (OCBCC).
Parents of children with special needs spoke out about the high quality early learning and child care for their children. Keri Hill, parent said “my child has special needs and is receiving great care. The centres have great staff and the program has made a huge difference for my daughter. Peel hasn’t considered the human cost and the cost to our community if we lose these services for families like mine”

WHAT: Rally and deputations to Peel Regional Council Meeting
WHERE: 10 Peel Centre Dr, Brampton (NE Corner of Bramalea City Centre)
WHEN: Thursday January 26, Rally 9 a.m., Council meeting starts at 9:30 a.m

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For more information please contact:

Andrea Calver, OCBCC                416-538-0628 Ext. 4 or cell: 416-434-8031
Lisa Martinez, Peel Parent         647-282-1351
Keri Hill, Peel Parent                  905-824-9085