NL NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) is hoping that the Minister of Education will listen to the concerns being brought forward from childcare operators about a change in the mandate needed to access $10-a-day funding to make accessible childcare spaces available.
While ongoing concerns from operators grow around the changes in the requirements for childcare centres to access the funding, Dinn says the Minister and the Department must do what they can to work with operators to strengthen the process, not add more red tape for operators providing these essential affordable childcare spaces.
Issues around the $10-a-day funding model have been around for a while, certainly while the Liberals were in power. However, it’s the duty of the current government to come to the table and work with operators while ensuring accountability for government funding,” said Dinn. “There needs to be open communication and a collaborative approach. The loss of any spaces will be detrimental. As the cost of everything continues to rise, we understand just how essential this program is to so many families across the province. It’s imperative that government doesn’t make changes that add more pressure.”
“The main concern I’ve heard is about the change from 90% enrolment to 100%. It makes sense that operators need time to fill those spaces, considering the many elements, such as age range and staffing, that can cause 100% enrolment to be very difficult to reach at all times,” said Dinn. “There has to be a way to meet in the middle to ensure accountability without adding unnecessary red tape and threatening the ability of parents to access affordable childcare.”
Dinn says the conversation around childcare must always include support for the early childhood education workforce – a promise he says government has not yet fulfilled.
“While we wait to hear how the meeting goes with the Minister and the group of operators, we remind government that they ran on paid work-terms and increased benefits, including a pension plan, for ECE’s. We will continue to push for action on these promises in the Fall sitting.”