Labour crisis threatens daycare with closure: A national labour shortage may force the south-end daycare to close.
Gulf Islands Driftwood – BC local news
By Elizabeth Nolan
February 25, 2009

A nation-wide shortage of qualified childcare workers may mean the end of Tree Frog Daycare in Fulford.

Board members say the island institution could close its doors by the end of March if it can’t find the funds to continue….

Quality care has been matched by some amenities that no other providers offer on the island, including a licensed infant/toddler room with room for four children and a pick-up service for children going to kindergarten next door.

Ironically, the daycare will celebrate its 15th anniversary this year only if it can stay open. Children and parents that have come to know Tree Frog as a second home may be looking for a new place soon, due primarily to a staffing shortage of certified early childhood educators (ECEs). The daycare has space for 16 children in its main room, but can currently take only eight, according to licensing requirements with only two ECEs on staff.

Some of Tree Frog’s operating expenses are covered by grants and fundraising, but by not taking its full complement of children, there’s just not enough revenue coming in to cover expenses.

Lisa Bleskie, the longtime supervisor of the daycare, said Tree Frog is just one example among many across Canada of an institution threatened by the lack of ECEs. The problem on Salt Spring is compounded by social factors affecting all sectors of the workforce, namely the high cost of living and the difficult housing situation, while most of the certified educators on island are already employed.

“We actually had hired one person who didn’t wind up coming because of the housing issue,” Bleskie reported.

Tree Frog has faced similar crises in the past, including in 2003 when the federal government drastically cut subsidies to childcare institutions. Individual donors and community support, as well as efforts by the board of directors in fundraising and business strategies, have previously served to bring the centre through these crises.

In the present situation, the board has a multi-pronged approach they hope will be enough for the daycare to see another generation of children pass through its doors. Advertisements in the Driftwood reveal that Tree Frog is currently on a hiring mission, hoping to bring on board one ECE and an ECE/executive director. Competitive wages of $17-$20 per hour could potentially attract individuals either from Salt Spring or elsewhere, providing those people also find a place to live.

At the same time, a fundraising blitz is also in the works. Today marks the launch of the Toonies for Tree Frog campaign, which will find distinctive jars on local business countertops. Bleskie said just two dollars from every person on Salt Spring would put the daycare in the clear. Another project to look forward to is a Frog-Aid benefit concert and family entertainment evening sometime this spring.

Short-term emergency measures and long-term planning strategies have also been considered.

For the present, Tree Frog has shortened hours to reduce labour costs, eliminated a full-time administration position and become strict about applying late fees….

In the meantime, Tree Frog staff and board members want to remind islanders that providing childcare is not just a service but can be one of society’s cornerstones.

“One of our key concepts is that great communities grow great kids and that healthy children mean healthy communities,” Bleskie said.

She’s hoping Salt Spring will recognize the value and necessity of childcare as part of the bigger picture.