Standing up for child care
The Daily Courier
By CHUCK POULSEN
February 7, 2007

Even the little ones got in on Black Tuesday, a day of protest by child-care workers.

While workers dressed in black, they also had the kids involved in "black art activity."

"Because we were going to be dressing in black and encouraging the parents to also to make a statement, we thought the children would enjoy another colour day," said Kim Chernenkoff of Daycare Connection in Kelowna.

"We made black play dough and had black water on the water table. They were painting with black paint. This was a colour celebration for them. They loved it. It was a celebration of a different kind for them."

NDP child-care critic Claire Trevena was in Kelowna Tuesday morning to meet with providers.

"Parents are very supportive because parents are already struggling with very high child-care costs and tying to find child-care spaces," Trevena said.

Okanagan College child-care students demonstrated on street corners. "We're trying to let the public know more about early childhood educators," said student leader Kathi Litster.

"We're getting a very positive response, a lot of honks, waves and thumbs up. A lot have said 'Job well done.'

"We are in a two-year program, and once the minimum wage is raised, we won't be making much more than that."

The average child-care worker makes about $12 an hour, she said.

She said it's "possible" that the 22 students might withdraw from classes on Thursday if there is a decision to close day cares on that day.

"Everybody is wearing black ribbons, providing information for parents on what the cuts will mean and doing a lot of black art activity (with the children)," said Lynn Burgat of the Kelowna Child Care Society.

"Today is a take-action day. On Thursday, they'll be exploring other options of letting the government know what this means, including possibly a shutdown."

The Kelowna branch of the Early Childhood Educators of B.C. will meet Thursday evening at Okanagan College to discuss further action.

"Day-care funding cuts affect the whole community, not just day cares, children and parents. Employers won't be able to find workers if day care is too expensive and takes parents out of the workforce," said Burgat.

Day-care fees could jump dramatically if cuts to operating grants take effect July 1.

Currently, government funding provides day cares with $14.04 a day per child up to 35 months and $7.48 a day per child from three years old to kindergarten.

That will drop to $10 and $5.48, respectively, squeezing day cares and forcing them to increase fees.

Full-time day care for newborns to three-year-olds averages $750-$800 a month. For three-year-olds to kindergarten, it averages $550-$650.