More children, fewer staff

What you need to know about Ontarios proposed changes to child care regulations

New child care legislation and new regulations at the same time?
The Ontario government has tabled new child care legislation that makes many changes including new limitations on unregulated child care. They have also proposed changes to child care regulations that make changes to group sizes and staffing ratios These two actions are separate: o Passing the legislation does not require the regulation changes to be made. o The regulation changes can be made by the governing Liberal party without a vote in the legislature.

Whats the problem?

Its primarily the regulation changes that are of concern. Most details in the massive legislation package are generally supported or welcomed. Quality for the youngest childreninfants and toddlersis the main concern. The new regulations would put infants and toddlers in larger groups with fewer staff. Research shows that the staff and group sizes now proposed are substantially below acceptable minimum quality levels.

Key changes that threaten quality

Ratios will be significantly reduced and group size substantially increased: For 1 1 year olds, ratios will increase from 1: 3 to 1:5; group size will increase from 10 to 15 For 2 -2 year olds, ratios will increase from 1:5 to 1:8; an increased group size of 24 will be an option. No increases in required numbers of ECE-trained staff are proposed. Regulation changes propose two new multi-age grouping options, one of which would allow a maximum group size of 20 for a group including children from 0-4 years.
Current Requirements Age groupings and ratios: 18 mths(0-1.5 years); 1:33 ratio, max.10 18-30 mths (1.5 - 2.5 yrs): 1:5 ratio, max. 15 30 mths (2.5 years) - 5 yrs: 1:8 ratio, max. 16 44 - 67 mths (3.7 5.3 yrs): 1:10 ratio, max. 20 56 -67 mths (4.7- 5.3 yrs): 1:12 ratio, max. 24 68 mths-12 yrs (5.7- 12 yrs):1:15 ratio, max.30 Proposed Requirements Proposed age groupings and ratios: 0-1 yrs; 1:3 ratio; max. 10 1-2 yrs: 1:5 ratio; max. 15 2-4 yrs: 1:8 ratio; max. 16 or 24 4-6 yrs: 1:13 ratio; max. 26 6-8 yrs: 1:15 ratio; max. 30 9-12 yrs: 1:20 ratio; max 20

What does this mean for your child?

More crowded, busier rooms Less time for staff to interact with your child Lowering the proportion of trained professional staff required in centres

What can you do? Email your MPP. Write a personal response to the Ontario government. By email to: CCGE_modernization@ontario.ca Sign on to the Open Letter. The text of the letter can be found at:
http://www.childcarecanada.org/sites/default/files/OPEN_LETTER_TO_ONTARIO_EDUCATION_MINISTER_FEB201 4_0.pdf

To sign, email Eduarda Sousa at: esousa@aeceo.ca