A letter to Minister Linda Reid
Cariboo Press -- Revelstoke Times Review
31 Jan 2007
Letters -- Betty Switzer, ECE

Dear Ms. Reid

I am writing this letter to plead with you to re-consider your Ministry's decision to close the Child Care Resource and Referral office in Revelstoke (as well as others in the province).

I am an Early Childhood Educator with over 20 years experience and I see this cut as a giant step backwards for our children. As Early Childhood Educators, we have been very patient with the tiny steps that have taken place... ensuring children are valued, protected, and given the best possible start in life. I cannot even come close to explaining the value of the service the CCRR office provides for children, families, caregivers, and professionals in our community. They are our link, our core, our everything. With this cut we will be pushing children back into basements, where caregivers are not supported and parents are not given the information about choices, regulations, etc. Who will provide professional development opportunities for caregivers in small communities? Who will be there for parents who require... support and information whether they are working or not? Who will be there to care... when children are not valued in society?

I was manager of care for a group child care center in Revelstoke for 10 years. The CCRR office played a huge role in the operation of our center. They assisted with everything from subsidy applications, toy rental, caregiver support, parent referrals, and professional development opportunities. They linked us, and guided us when working the licensing regulations, Support services, grant applications, community involvement, creative ESL strategies and funding possibilities.

I recently became employed at the StrongStart Centre in Revelstoke and once again the CCRR office was instrumental in getting the program off the ground in five weeks. The school district was assisted when it came to job postings, ECE qualifications, and quality programming. The staff at the CCRR office in their daily contact with parents, are able to promote the benefits of early learning. The staff... are our link to parents of children under five!

I understand the importance of working within a budget, and... I can live with a slight reduction of services, but to totally cut a program that is benefiting so many people... is beyond my comprehension.

Please look at the data that demonstrates that quality early learning does make a difference ... and quality early learning does not happen without parents and caregivers working together! Once again.... The CCRR office is the link! Please do not take it away, just to have to reinvent it at a later date.

I would appreciate your reconsideration of this cut, and I look forward to your response.