Parent Resources
Message Board:
Open House events at the Providence French-Catholic school board
Child Care is Worth More
Our program is proud to be part of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, which has allowed us to offer fee reductions. We have heard from families about what a wonderful difference this is making for them.
But right now too many families are left out: families on waitlists for a space; families whose centres or providers didn’t opt-in to CWELCC; families of school-age children; and low-income families waiting for fee subsidy. The child care workforce shortage means that many programs cannot run at capacity right now, let alone considering expanding access.
That is why our program is supporting the Worth More Campaign to call on the federal and provincial governments to work together to solve the child care workforce crisis with decent work and pay, and expand access to CWELCC for all families. (This op-ed explains why solving the workforce crisis is key to expanding access to families).
You can support this campaign too by using this one-click tool to send a message to your politicians telling them that you are a family who has seen your child care fees go down and now you are lending your voice to ECEs, child care workers, and parents waiting for child care or that you are waiting for child care to be accessible for families like yours.
Thank you so much for your support!
Letter to Families
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As you may know, Kids & Us has not been immune to ongoing staff shortages. The number of RECE’s is shrinking as the Ontario College of ECE is seeing an alarming number leave the sector after just 3 years, the main reason being compensation.
Coupled with staff shortages, is funding shortfalls. Currently, the province is planning for a revamp of the CWELCC childcare funding model for 2024, however the initial discussion paper leaves many unanswered questions and a “status quo” funding model, based on 2022 averages. The 2.75% increase in funding for 2023 does not cover inflationary costs let alone allow for wage increases to staff or grow the childcare system. These factors are impacting our operations, and those of other operators across the province.
I share this information with you, in hopes that it might help you understand the situation that Kids & Us is facing, and to ask you to be kind to staff. This is not a situation that they have created, but one we are all managing the best we can. We have had program closures and we will no doubt continue to experience reduced operating hours and limited childcare spaces in some programs due to these ongoing issues. Please know that we are advocating for the sector and will continue to advocate until staff are fairly compensated and recruitment and retention issues are addressed. We understand how important childcare is to you and to growing our local economies.
Thanks in advance for your ongoing understanding and support.
Bruce County Resources:
Grey County Resources:
Fee Subsidy Information
Contact your local website to apply.
