Child care providers upset over funding cuts
Alberni Valley Times
30 Jan 2007
By: Niomi Pearson

Recent cuts in child care funds have prompted local groups involved in child care in the community to take action.

They will be meeting Thursday night to discuss the impact of these cuts to local families and facilities, and decide what measures to take on Feb 6, the provincial day of response.

"They will guide the action as a collective community voice," said meeting chair Tammy Dewar, who is also a community facilitator for the Make Children First network.

"There is a wide range of action being planned across the province. We will introduce some of the provincial ideas at the meeting, but no decisions are pre-made for the Alberni Valley."

The meeting is a response to Linda Reid, BC's Minister of State for Child Care, who recently announced child care program funding cuts of almost 15 per cent. ... Some of the reductions include a 27 per cent reduction in Child Care Operating Funding (for children from birth to six years of age in licensed group and family child care services), and a 77 per cent reduction in funding for Child Care Resource and Referral Programs (CCRRP).

There will also be a cap placed on access to child care operating funds for most new child care spaces.

Dewar said the impact of these cuts will include increases in fees for families, up to $1,000 a year for children, the end of Child Care Resource and Referral Programs, and more severe shortages of licensed child care spaces in BC.

"I do know that as of today, one child care center has issued a notice to families that the fees will increase in July, 2007," she told the Times.

"I think the facilities are still trying to figure out what the impacts will be. There seemed to be a state of shock at the announcement or the 'not again' response to yet another damaging blow to children, families, the child care field and ultimately a blow to the investment of the children in B.C."

Locally, there have been no announcements on school closures, however Dewar said it is too soon to rule that out.

"The local Pacific Care Resource and Referral Program which offers essential support to child care facilities and children and families is faced with major program reductions/closures," she said. "What I do know is that qualified Early Childhood Educators providing quality care and nurturing and educational early experiences are already under resourced. The field can not absorb this cut in operating costs."

Dewar said the state of childcare in the Valley was in the beginning stages of meeting some of the needs of the local community before the announcement.

"Three local centers received capital funding to increase their infant and toddler spaces, which was a huge need," she said. "But even with the increase of these 30+ spaces, there are still waiting lists, so the need had not been totally met."

Dewar said the government should be held responsible for adequately funding childcare for younger children.

"The research is documented, telling us the importance of the early years, and quality child care is a part of this. The Government has the funds; they have the research showing them to invest in the future of BC through the children and their early experiences."

Early Childhood Educators and Child Care Providers, parents, businesses, municipal leaders, local MP's and the community at large are encouraged to attend the upcoming meeting to address their questions and concerns about the cut backs.

It will be held at North Island College, Room S108, on Feb. 1. There are two meeting times to choose from: a daytime meeting from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and again in the evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.