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: The space does not have the capacity
A: Regarding question 3, I feel that the question is unfairly worded. The proposed ratios and group sizes outline both a ratio requirement and the minimum number of RECEs. Question 3 only asks about RECEs, not staff in general. I would prefer to see some guidance on managing enrolment to ensure quality within this new proposed model. This would provide maximum flexibility, give support to the MEDU program advisers to coach and mentor programs and maintain quality. Also, a key point to consider with looking at these ratios is whether or not the group sizes and ratios proposed decrease quality OR is the issue more that child care needs more support to manage challenging behaviours. In the school setting, there is the EA role, but not in child care. If we had more support on that end, I believe we could manage a quality program within the proposed ratios.
A: Ratios should stay the same (ie 1 RECE per group)
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: It would be the move in the wrong direction – according to experts childcare quality is already low across Canada and all possible efforts should be made to increase it. Research studies show that child to staff ratio and group size directly affect quality. It is sad and frustrating that the proposed changes address issues like accessibility or flexibility for the benefit of operators and parents, ignoring the direct recipients of the care – young children – who would have to pay the highest price for it.
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 does not have the capacity
A: I do not agree with any of these proposals/changes the Ministry of Education would like to introduce!
How do these proposals/changes enhance our programs and meet the BEST interest of a child?
Don’t we what to raise the bar in quality childcare in Ontario!?
I do!!
-Learnloveplay (follow meinstagram)A: Ratios should stay the same (ie 1 RECE per group)
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: We are suppose to be providing high quality, engaging child care for children and with these new ratios and mixed groupings this would be near impossible and not suitable for children or staff. This in fact is taking a step back from how far and more advanced quality child care has become. The children need and deserve better care than that. As a RECE I feel saddened by this.
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 personally would not put my child in a room with so many different age levels with that many children. As a toddler teacher I would not want to have to be toilet training children, plus giving bottles, changing diapers, and consoling children who are in group care for the first time. I think that the people who came up with this should have to do a trial run before forcing this horrible ideal on anyone else.
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4
A: I would not want to adapt to this model
A: Although the new models provide more flexibility in age groups and the way staff are used, I am not sure that it addresses safety. The Quality Assessment would have to be reflective of this.
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 more not fewer RECE’s is the key to quality….but the availability of RECE’s is becoming more challenging with the full implementation of FDK. The salaries we are able to offer fall significantly below that which an RECE can make in the school system; therefore it is difficult to attract RECE’s. We have a commitment within our organization to increase salaries to our maximum ability at least on an annual basis…but without the ability to increase fees to any significant degree we are sadly limited. We have had very long-term RECE’s transition to the school system strictly for financial reasons.
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 am looking for information on the not-for-profits and the for-profits – ie BrightPath. I also do not know about the subsidies for parent(s).
A: Ontario should add another RECE per age group for children under 4