Media Coverage
Click here to view the video of a press conference at Queen's Park where Dr. Rob Leone, MPP for Cambridge, introduces the Protection of Child Care Centres Act. Owl Executive Director, Lori Prospero, participated in the press conference to share the concerns of operators.
Press Conference, Dec 9
Articles, Columns and Letters to the Editor
Below is a compilation of local media coverage on full day kindergarten and the extended day programs.
To view the full story, click on the links below.
Parents Group Encouraged by Extended Day Program Progress (press release)
We would like to express our complete support for the Waterloo Region Early Learning Coalition (WRELC). Specifically, we support whole heartedly the coalition’s efforts to work with the school boards in Waterloo Region to strengthen child care for all, as they stated in their new conference on January 30, 2012. As parents with children cared for by coalition day cares located at Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) schools, we hope that all concerned can come together to exceed the Province of Ontario’s requirements for extended day programs as part of the full day Kindergarten initiative, as well as ensure the best possible daycare system for the Region of Waterloo.
By Natalie Waddell, Spokesperson
WRDSB Families Want Choice, January 31, 2012
Daycare providers won’t be pushed out of Catholic schools
Third-party daycare providers can stay in the region’s Catholic schools. They won’t get pushed out when it comes to offering before- and after-school programs for kindergarten students, board staff told trustees on Monday night. So, is this a victory for parents who cherish the outside not-for-profit organizations who provide those kindergarten programs in 11 Catholic schools?
Jeff Hicks
The Record, January 31, 2012
News Release: Extended Day Program Availability; Great News for Region’s Catholic Families
Board meets parent requests for open, inclusive, faith-based program. After a number of discussions with [child care] operators it is clear the Board must take the lead to ensure the extended day learning needs of all WCDSB students across the Region are addressed fairly and equitably. The WCDSB has responded to parent requests for choice in selecting the type of extended day program they want for their children. Therefore, as per current practice, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board will continue to offer a board-run extended day learning program in all schools where the Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten Program exists. Private child care operators may elect to respond to parents’ desire for choice by continuing to provide their current programs at their existing sites.
Roger Lawler, Director of Education
Waterloo Catholic District School Board, January 30, 2012
News Release: Consequences of school boards’ extended day plans affect entire child care network
At a news conference today, the Waterloo Region Early Learning Coalition (WRELC) stated it supports the implementation of full day kindergarten and the broader accessibility of quality child care including extended day programs to families not currently served. The WRELC believes that licensed child care providers can be part of the solution to achieve this outcome. To date the entire debate of extended care has focused on the programs specific to programs in schools.
John Haddock, January 30, 2012
Waterloo Region Early Learning Coalition
Existing daycare providers will be harmed
I am responding to Zofia Sonia Worotynec’s letter supporting the Waterloo Regional District School Board’s before- and after-school program. First, I need to clarify: the board’s program is not universal. It is focused on junior kindergarten to Grade 2, and may have programs for Grades 3 to 6. It will be available only in schools where there is enough demand. It will be a fee-based service, where most families will be paying more than they do today for in-school programs.
Andre Bastel
The Record, January 20, 2012
Progressive plan, cowardly message
The Waterloo Region District School Board has come up with a contentious plan to run some before- and after-school daycare programs themselves, rather than through third-party providers.
Kitchener Post, January 19, 2012
Board wants to listen to parents concerns: chair
The first of a series of public consultation meetings on the topic of board-run extended daycare dramatically changed course by letting parents ask their own questions.
By Lisa Rutledge
Cambridge Times, January 19, 2012
Tensions were high Tuesday night as parents gathered at Driftwood Park Public School to voice their concerns about plans for school-run daycare.
Kitchener Post, January 19, 2012
Still hope for ‘hybrid daycare at Catholic schools
There’s a chance daycare agencies serving kindergarten students in Waterloo Region’s Catholic schools may not get pushed out of those sites by the fall of 2014. Catholic board chair Manuel da Silva said Wednesday a “hybrid” model — one that doesn’t chase not-for-profit agencies out of 11 schools in favour of a board-run extended-day kindergarten programs — is still a possibility.
Jeff Hicks
The Record, January 18, 2012
Braving the elements to protest daycare changes
“There’s no reason why we can’t have two different systems,” Christine Moores said as she held her daughter, who gets YMCA child care at J.W. Gerth public school in Kitchener. “I’m OK with the Board running their own program. Just don’t take away what’s already working so well.”
Jeff Hicks
The Record, January 17, 2012
School Board Day Care Will Affect Everyone
The extended day-care debate appears to be focusing on parents of school-aged children attending a third party provider. However, if we look more closely we will see that the impact will be felt for the community and region in general.
If the Waterloo Region District School Board succeeds in taking over before- and after-school care for four- to seven-year-olds, as the plan stands now, everyone could be affected. Parents of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers at a third party provider are looking at the real possibility of large double-digit fee increases. Or even worse, their centre may not be financially viable without school-aged children.
By Lara Meek
The Record, January 16, 2012
School’s Extended Care Battle Heats Up
Craig Holland, a Kitchener father of two, aims to have his message seen, if not heard.
So outside Driftwood Park Public School on Tuesday, at a 6 p.m. rally in support of embattled third-party extended daycare providers in Waterloo Region schools, Holland promises to wield a big sign. “It’s going to be double-sided to give me twice the voice,” Holland said.
By Jeff Hicks
The Record, January 16, 2012
Letter writer Tom Wunder is justifiably irate with both school boards over their decision to take over the school-based day-care centres. Parents were not informed until after plans had been finalized. This move is very unpopular. Parents know they should be consulted in areas that affect their children. Proving once again that parents are not partners in education, the busing schedule could soon be altered.
By Nancy Wagner
The Record, January 10, 2012
School Board’s Day Care Decision Unjust
I feel that the manner in which both the Waterloo Region District School Board and the Waterloo Region Catholic District School Board have proceeded with plans for the before- and after-school program is unfair and lacking in social justice.
Both the public board and the Catholic board lack experience operating a play-based educational program. This is new territory to them. On the other hand, some of the current third-party providers have been operating play-based educational programs for 20 years.
By Tom Wunder
The Record, January 7, 2012
Listen to parents on child care
It’s great that Waterloo Region’s public board of education will finally talk to parents about the child care programs its schools offer. But if it expects full marks from the community, the board must make these talks truly meaningful. It needs to give the parents a real say in how their youngsters in kindergarten are handled before and after school — and who does the handling.
An editorial
The Record, December 29, 2011
Support a hybrid daycare model
Does the Ministry of Education guarantee “universal extended daycare” for students at every school? If you Google OPSBA Ministry Memos or visit edu.gov.on.ca you will find memos concerning all-day kindergarten and extended day programs. I’ve been told by staff that boards are required to offer the extended program but are not required to operate it.
By Cindy Watson
Cambridge Times, December 28, 2011
Email campaign launched – Opponents of board-run daycare start 12 days of Christmas email campaign
Those battling local school boards to stop them from taking over extended daycare at schools are singing their own versions of Christmas carols these days. The opposition effort has launched its own 12 days of Christmas campaign, encouraging parents upset about looming changes to before- and after-school care to send 12 days worth of emails to trustees and local politicians.
By Lisa Rutledge
The Cambridge Times, December 27, 2011
New Brochure Explains public board’s plan for extended day programs
Your public school kids are bringing home brochures in time for Christmas.
The sales pitch? School board-run extended day programs.
The public board is explaining why it wants to take all over before- and after-school kindergarten programs by September, 2014. By mid-week, about 42,500 brochures — at 12 cents a piece — will have gone home with public students up to Grade 6. Some schools sent the brochures home last week.
By Jeff Hicks
The Record, December 19, 2011
I was a speaker at the Waterloo Region District School Board’s meeting on Dec. 12, criticizing the board’s plan for extended day care as it relates to the impact on families already being served by third-party day-care providers.
By Andre Bastel
The Record, December 19, 2011
Forget Big Brother, school boards want to be Big Mother
The common conceit about local politics is that it’s the most democratic and pragmatic level of government. While the grand themes of political right versus political left — free trade, health care, foreign policy — play themselves out at the federal and provincial levels, what goes on at the local level is seen as rather mundane: roads, schools, utilities and the like.
by Peter Shawn Taylor
The Record, December 15, 2011
Keep heat on to fight board: MPP
Cambridge and North Dumfries MPP Rob Leone isn’t taking a break from fighting to prevent local school boards from taking over extended daycare at all schools. And he’s hoping local parents won’t either.
by Lisa Rutledge
Cambridge Times, December 14, 2011
Public board plans information sessions on extended day plan
Between now and mid-February, Waterloo Region’s public school board will hold neighbourhood meetings to explain a controversial plan to take over all before- and after-school care kindergarten programs as they expand them into all schools by 2015.
by Jeff Hicks
The Record, December 12, 2011
MPPs meet public school board officials to discuss extended daycare
There is no other way to spin it. Waterloo Region’s two school boards are scrambling to regain control of the escalating acrimony in the battle over the future of extended daycare programs at local schools.
by Jeff Hicks
The Record, December 10, 2011
Make the school board listen
What I need for my children is year-round, reasonably priced care, which supports my asthmatic child. I receive this from the YMCA at school. The Waterloo Region District School Board is removing this care to be fair to all children. Apparently, it isn’t fair to the community that we have care and others don’t.
by Lara Meeks
The Record, December 10, 2011
What about summer?
The Waterloo Region District School Board has trustees like Margaret Johnston who would like people to believe they have our children’s best interest in mind. Yet their proposal for before- and after-school child care could leave the families of four- to seven-year-old children without care over the summer months.
by Craig Holland
The Record, December 10, 2011
MPPs enhance daycare debate
Two of Waterloo Region’s Conservative provincial politicians are meddling with the local school boards — and good for them for doing it.
an editorial
The Record, December 9, 2011
Hybrid model is best for school daycare
The first lesson a Waterloo Regional District School Board trustee must learn is that motions bring change. In my opinion, motions that encourage conversation without a willingness to change are nothing more than lip service.
by Cindy Watson
The Record, December 9, 2011
Campaign letter pulls Premier into extended day debate
The Premier now stands in the middle of an escalating Waterloo Region turf war. During the fall election campaign, McGuinty and six other Liberal candidates signed their names to a letter dated Sept. 23, which urged Ottawa-Carleton school board trustees to back off a plan to push third-party daycare providers out of schools in the Premier’s home riding.
By Jeff Hicks
The Record, December 8, 2011
Parents vent at public meeting about extended daycare plan
Jamie McCormick is no fan of the “seamless” day for kids in extended day programs at school. The father of two sees a big problem with keeping four-to-seven year olds in the same classroom for up to 10 hours as Waterloo Region’s two school boards move to take over extended day programs in their schools by 2015.
by Jeff Hicks
The Record, December 7, 2011
MPP takes daycare dilemma to house
Newly-minted MPP Rob Leone is hoping to offer some political clout to help parents crying foul over local school boards’ handling of extended daycare programs.
by Lisa Rutledge
Cambridge Times, December 7, 2011
MPP’s bill backs outside providers of extended-day programs
Cambridge MPP Rob Leone plans to table a private member’s bill at Queen’s Park aimed at ending the nasty scuffle over the future of extended-day programs at Waterloo Region schools.
by Jeff Hicks
The Record, December 6, 2011
A worthwhile goal
It may be of interest to Record readers to know that as the newest trustee on the Waterloo Region District School Board, I served notice of motion on Nov. 28 to engage the public in conversation with regard to the seamless-day model.
by Margaret Johnston
The Record, December 7, 2011
What about the child-care workers?
The issue of the Waterloo Region District School Board running before- and after-school programs has raised much controversy. Congratulations to the parents for standing up for their children, their rights and their existing child-care facilities.
by Kathleen Verbeke
The Record, December 5, 2011
School trustees stifle debate
Waterloo Region’s public school trustees have manufactured a tough and anti-democratic piece of red tape that is strangling public debate over the future of child care programs in local schools. Shame on every one of them who voted for it.
an editorial
The Record, December 2, 2011
School Board Argument on Seamless Day Full of Holes
Recent events have provided remarkable insight into how our local school boards operate. The main observation being that the bureaucrats who run them seem to think they know better than parents what’s best for their kids. And they’ll say anything to keep it that way. I’m referring to plans by Waterloo Region’s public and Catholic school boards to monopolize before and after child care coverage for four to seven year olds — what’s called a seamless day — despite vociferous opposition by parents
By Peter Shawn Taylor
The Record, December 1, 2011
Facilitator eyed for daycare talks
Faced with heated opposition to a plan to take over extended daycare at schools, trustees are considering hiring a facilitator to handle talks with third-party daycare providers.
by Lisa Rutledge
Cambridge Times, December 1, 2011
Three City-Run Day Cares to Close
Misrak Ayalew and her two boys would have to fall back on government welfare with the closing of their local child-care centre.
Every day, the single mother drops off Keduse, 9, and Abel, 7, at St. Mark's Child Care Centre, near Queen St. and Lansdowne Ave., by 7:30 a.m. and picks them up at 5:30 p.m., after work at Tim Hortons.
"If they close it down, I'd have to stay home. We don't want to go back on social assistance," Ayalew said after learning St. Mark's is among three city-run child-care centres that could close next August under Mayor Rob Ford's proposed 2012 city budget.
By Laurie Monsebraaten & Nicholas Keung
Toronto Star, November 30, 2011
On the Record – Child Care
Luisa D’Amato and Karlo Berkovich discuss a local school board’s plans to use its own employees to offer before- and after-school care for junior kindergarten to Grade 2 students.
The Record, November 30, 2011
The Seamless day
About 125 people, many of them concerned parents, attended a meeting at Lincoln Road Chapel organized by the Waterloo Region Early Learning Coalition (WRELC) last night.
They are upset about plans that would see both the local school boards launch a “seamless day”, in which children between 4 and 7 year old would have day care provided by the school board before and after class.
570 News, November 30, 2011
School board’s new rule punishes prickly trustee — and parents
We have parents who are deeply concerned about controversial and expensive changes that the public school board plans to make in their children’s before- and after-school care arrangements.
We have school board trustees, elected and paid by the public, to make education decisions that are in the public interest.
by Luisa D’Amato
The Record, November 30, 2011
Parents escalate pressure on school boards over plans to take over extended day programs
This war is about three things now.
“Pressure. Pressure. Pressure,” said Tara Walker, who is among parents leading the fight to stop Waterloo Region’s two school boards from taking over extended day programs for four- to seven-year-olds in all elementary schools by 2015.
“The more pressure we put on the boards, they more they will understand our positions.”
by Jeff Hicks
The Record, November 30, 2011
A child-care dictator
It appears that the Waterloo Region District School Board is assuming the role of dictator concerning our children’s before and after school day care. It claims there is a need for available spaces in the community. This is rubbish, as there are many programs currently in place run by the YMCA and other organizations like Owl Day Care. As well, and just as important, there are countless home day-care providers who offer transportation to and from schools.
by Elizabeth Drennan
The Record, November 28, 2011
War heats up over extended care at schools
Kim Arnold sat down in a kid-sized chair at Kitchener’s J.F. Carmichael Public School. Her son Adam, 4, was ready to be picked up from an after-school program run by school staff. The program is a godsend to her. “I love it,” said Arnold, a single mom who works at Research In Motion.
by Jeff Hicks
The Record, November 27, 2011
Care programs give families an added choice
For more than 175 years, Waterloo Region’s Catholic school children have benefited from a quality, inclusive, faith-based education. I want to assure the Catholic families of Waterloo Region that their school board’s long tradition of providing the services they expect will continue under Ontario’s new extended day learning program for students. Recent media commentary has created confusion and doubt in the community about what is actually happening here in Waterloo Region regarding the government’s plan.
by Roger D. Lawler
The Record, November 26, 2011
Small changes to daycare policy has big impact on jobs
As a working mom (with the most perfect toddler in the world), I pay attention to our Early Childhood Education programs. What matters most to me — her teachers are incredibly caring, she learns something every day, and she has tons of fun with the other kids. As a labour economist, I pay attention to the government’s role in structuring childcare programs and ultimately the implications for Canada’s productive capacity and gender equality. Recently, Ontario has introduced several changes to our Early Childhood Education programs including the introduction of full day kindergarten programs for 4 and 5 year olds. They are, however, leaving many important details up to local school boards. These details matter and the Province should be paying more attention.
by Tammy Schirle
The Globe and Mail, November 25, 2011
Parents Want Consultation on Board Run Day Care
Several parents appeared at the Waterloo Region District School Board meeting Monday night to reiterate their concerns about plans to implement board-run before- and after-school care for four- to seven-year-olds.
The plan will see the board take over before- and after-school care for students aged four to seven, while third-party providers, such as the YMCA, will continue to manage younger and older age groups.
By Heather Abrey
Kitchener Post, November 24, 2011
Parent info sessions to be held on extended day programs
An alliance of local daycare providers says it wants to get parents the facts. So the Waterloo Region Early Learning Coalition is holding three parent information sessions over the next two weeks to discuss plans by the public and Catholic school boards to take over the delivery of extended day programs in their schools. Third-party providers are to be pushed completely out of local schools by 2015.
by Jeff Hicks
The Record, November 24, 2011
Give public a say on child care
They are not the private domain of the provincial government. They are not the personal fiefdom of those employed by the boards of education. For this reason, the bureaucrats at the Waterloo Region District School Board are wrong to say that they and they alone should decide how the schools in this community will provide before- and after-school child care.
an editorial
The Record, November 24, 2011
Day Cares form New Coalition: Agencies Aim to Inform Parents about Impacts of Board Run Day Care.
Not-for-profit childcare providers have formed a coalition hoping strength in numbers will help counter a looming school board plan to take over extended daycare at elementary schools. The Waterloo Region Early Learning Coalition was founded two weeks ago by representatives of several childcare agencies who stand to lose business when public and Catholic school boards in the region take over before- and after-school care for children age four to seven.
By Lisa Rutledge
Cambridge Times, November 23, 2011
Board needs to give parents a choice
Say “NO” to bullying… Especially at the hands of the Waterloo Regional District School Board. On Nov. 15, at Ryerson Public School, parents rallied against the board. It marked the first meeting between the board and parents of children affected by the board’s decision to take over providing all before-and-after care to children ages four to seven. The YWCA operates a not-for-profit daycare at Ryerson for children 18 months to 12 years.
by Ashley Ross, Guest Columnist
The Cambridge Times, November 23, 2011
Meetings on before- and after-school programs
Waterloo Region Early Learning Coalition will be holding a series of community conversations for parents to learn about the changes to before- and after-school programs. It will focus on the rollout of full day kindergarten extended day programs in the region.
The Cambridge Times, November 23, 2011
Daycares form new coalition- Agencies aim to inform parents about impact of board-run daycare
Agencies aim to inform parents about impact of board-run daycare. Not-for-profit childcare providers have formed a coalition hoping strength in numbers will help counter a looming school board plan to take over extended daycare at elementary schools.
by Lisa Rutledge
The Cambridge Times, November 23, 2011
School board to partner on daycare: Trustees vote for third-party model
Parents and childcare activists have won a hard-fought battle to convince Ottawa’s public school board to partner with third-party childcare providers to offer the extended day program. Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday night to implement a hybrid delivery model for the program, which is the before- and after-school piece of the province’s $1.5-billion, full-day kindergarten initiative.
By Matthew Pearson
Ottawa Citizen, November 22, 2011
The Impacts of the WRDSB Child Care Plan
We’re getting a bit political this week. Or more accurately, the selection of the week is a website that is getting very political in a grassroots way. The Impacts of the WRDSB Child Care Plan is a website set up by Natalie Waddell. She is a parent who is very concerned about the Waterloo Region District School Board’s plan for an extended, seamless day for children ages 4 – 7.
By James Howe
WR Awesome Online, November 21, 2011
Parents demand say in child care debate
Parents concerned about changes to before and after-school care at elementary schools say they’ve been shut out of the process. With a standing-room audience behind them, a handful of speakers chastised public school trustees Monday night for not living up to their own pledges to be open and consultative.
by Brent Davis
The Record, November 21, 2011
Parents deserve a say on daycare takeover plan
Before we consider the situation in Waterloo Region today, recall a memorable exchange between former U.S. Senator Phil Gramm and a federal bureaucrat about the growth of a U.S. government child care program. The expansion-minded functionary assured Gramm the state could love and care for the senator’s children just as well as he could. “Really,” replied Gramm. “Then what are their names?”
by Peter Shawn Taylor
The Record, November 17, 2011
Parents should take child care issue to trustees
I haven’t seen a group of parents this angry for many years.
On Tuesday night, parents at Ryerson Public School in Cambridge yelled at and heckled public school board officials who had come to answer questions about child care. The issue is their children. The parents are upset because the Waterloo Region District School Board plans to use its own employees to offer before- and after-school care for junior kindergarten to Grade 2 students. The Cambridge YWCA, which has been offering that care in the school, will not be invited to provide it any longer.
By Luisa D’Amato
The Record, November 16, 2011
Parents concerned about changes to daycare
The possible impact of changes planned for daycare programs at Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) facilities has many parents worried. Natalie Waddell is a busy working mom with a five-year-old son, and she isn’t happy with what could change.
by Joel Bowey
CTV News, November 16, 2011
Don’t mess with success
Last week, Waterloo Region District School Board educational superintendent Mary Lou Mackie told the Cambridge Times the school board hadn’t heard much in the way of negative responses regarding the board’s plans to take over daycare at schools for four to seven year olds.That’s probably the last time she’ll ever be able to say that.
an editorial
Cambridge Times, November 16, 2011
School boards shouldn’t run daycare
School boards have no business running daycare at schools and should let third-party childcare providers continue offering quality, cheaper programs, say outraged Cambridge parents. That was the angry message delivered to Waterloo Region District School Board top brass in a hotly-debated meeting at Preston’s Ryerson Public School Tuesday night.
by Lisa Rutledge
The Cambridge Times, November 16, 2011
Stop board-run daycare
A Kitchener mother is launching a petition in hopes of preventing the public school board from taking over before-and-after daycare programs at elementary schools across the region. Natalie Waddell, whose sons attends J.W. Gerth Public School in Kitchener, is incensed by soon-to-be implemented changes that will see the Waterloo Region District School Board begin operating before- and after-school daycares, currently run by third-party providers on school sites.
by Lisa Rutledge
Cambridge Times, November 15, 2011
Board-run daycare will be more universal: superintendent
School board-operated before- and after-school child care will ultimately provide more accessible care for children across Waterloo Region, says a public school board official.
Mary Lou Mackie, executive superintendent of education at the Waterloo Region District School Board, made the statement in answering concerns over upcoming changes that will see extended daycare programs – currently offered in schools by third-party daycare providers – be taken over by the board as part of a phased-in early years learning initiative.
by Lisa Rutledge
Cambridge Times, November 10, 2011
Ambitious school boards raise big questions
Waterloo Region’s two big school boards might be experts when it comes to the business of education. But why in heaven’s name are they getting into the business of child care? Suddenly, both the local public and Catholic boards want to hire their own workers to provide before- and after-school care in the schools for children aged four to seven — even when there are already community agencies doing the work. Their goal is the “seamless day” where youngsters are in the same room from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. And if their plans come to fruition, they will be the first boards in Ontario exclusively operating this service.
(an editorial)
The Record, November 10, 2011
School daycare dilemma
Ryerson Public School YWCA daycare staff is holding a parent information meeting Tuesday to field a flurry of concerns over sweeping changings to daycare delivery at the school. At the end of the school year, the on-site daycare centre will fall under control of the Waterloo Region District School Board as a board-run daycare, which could mean higher costs for child care and reduced choices for parents. “Parents are really concerned, angry and upset,” explained Kim Decker, executive director at the Cambridge YWCA, which operates the daycare at the new Ryerson elementary school.
by Lisa Rutledge
Cambridge Times, November 9, 2011
Board sees benefits to seamless day
The public school board isn’t trying to pry cash from the hands of third-party child care operators by providing its own seamless day programming, according to officials. The board said it is trying to get out its positive message of the benefits of full day programming at eight board schools.
Catherine Fife, school board trustee and president of the Ontario Professional School Boards’ Association, said only kids stand to profit from the changes brought by the Ministry of Education in 2009, mandating boards deliver programming where possible and where numbers warranted.
by Paige Desmond
Waterloo Chronicle, November 9, 2011
Parents fear what school board plan could mean for childcare in Baden
The public school board’s decision to assume control of before-and-after-class childcare in schools offering full-day kindergarten next year is creating anxiety for Baden parents and forcing daycare centres like Creative Beginnings to look more closely at their bottom lines.
by Doug Coxson
New Hamburg Independent, November 9, 2011
New minister pushes dual daycare – Hybrid model useful for implementing full-day kindergarten: Broten
Ontario’s new Education Minister says school boards should work with third-party childcare providers to implement the extended day program as part of the province’s full-day kindergarten initiative.
“I know in my own community and in the conversations I had across the province, many, many parents pointed to providers like the Y, like others, and said, ‘We need them to continue that important role,’” said Laurel Broten. “And I believe they have a really important role to play as a partner with us in delivering that wraparound day.”
by Matthew Pearson
The Ottawa Citizen, November 7, 2011
Plan could force daycare centres to close, trustee says
A public school board trustee is worried some local daycare centres may be forced out of business if the Waterloo Region District School Board goes ahead with plans to take over before- and after-school programs. There are 10 daycare centres within the board’s public schools that are operated by third-party agencies such as the YMCA, YWCA or Owl Child Care.
by Greg Mercer
The Record, October 28, 2011
Patchwork child care doesn’t help families
Re: Full-day kindergarten worth growing pains, adviser says, Oct. 17 and Parents grill adviser on ‘seamless’ day of kindergarten, Oct. 18. Thank you for the recent story on the first evening of public consultation on the part of the OCDSB regarding the extended day program.
by Nancy Arnold
Ottawa Citizen, October 27, 2011