Many parents have reached out to discuss childcare concerns. Access to quality affordable childcare is an enormous challenge for many families.
Recently the TDSB learned that the City’s draft 2017 budget proposes cuts that could have a tremendous impact on our childcare families and centres.
Several important motions were brought forward at our board meeting of December 7 and they were passed unanimously.
I will share resources for parent engagement as soon as they are ready. In the meantime, please spread the word and share your concerns with your City Councillor.
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Child Care Fee Subsidies
The Board decided:
Whereas, Toronto is about to see a large-scale expansion of child care spaces as a result of the Province’s announced intention to create 100,000 new spaces province-wide; and
Whereas, most of Toronto’s child care spaces are housed in schools, and child care and schools are inextricably linked; and
Whereas, Toronto’s subsidy system helps make licensed child care accessible for lower and middle income families; and
Whereas, there are over 18,582 children are on the wait list for subsidies; and
Whereas, a recent study showed that 75 percent of families in Toronto find licensed care unaffordable; and
Whereas, there has been an expansion of almost 3,000 licensed infant and toddler child care spaces since 2010, and over 8,000 Full Day Kindergarten Before- and After-School spaces with few additional subsidies;and
Whereas, an estimated 8,400 new fee subsidies are required over the next 15 years to maintain the current benchmark of 40 percent subsidies to licensed spaces; and
Whereas, the City’s current proposed budget will cut 75 new fee subsidies approved in the 2016 budget to be implemented in 2017;
Therefore, be it resolved:
(a) That the Chair and the Director write a joint letter to the City of Toronto Budget and Executive Committees and to the Premier of Ontario to call for a substantial increase to child care subsidies, and ensure that the Toronto District School Board makes a formal deputation to the committee regarding these concerns;
(b)That the coterminous boards, the members of the Early Years Community Advisory Committee, the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee and the child care centre tenants be copied on the letter referenced at Part (a), and encouraged to echo their concerns to the City’s Budget Committee and their respective City Councillors;
(c)That a communications plan be developed for trustees and that trustees reach out to their City Councillors and members of Provincial Parliament to highlight the significance of the change referenced above. |
| Child Care Occupancy Costs
The Board decided:
Whereas, the City’s draft budget proposes to eliminate direct payment to the Toronto District School Board of over $4.1 million annualized for school-based child care centre occupancy costs; and
Whereas, the proposed cut will require school boards to charge rent directly to child care operators through leases to recover these costs; and
Whereas this cut will result in increased fees for parents who pay full or partial fees and would destabilize childcare centres;
Therefore, be it resolved:
(a) That the Chair make a written submission to the City of Toronto Budget and Executive Committees in opposition to the proposal as outlined above;
(b)That the coterminous boards, the members of the Early Years Community Advisory Committee, the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee and the Board’s child care centre tenants be copied on the submission reference at Part (a), and encouraged to echo the concerns to the City’s Budget Committee and their respective City Councillors;
(c)That a communications plan be developed for trustees and that trustees reach out to their City Councillors to highlight the significance of the change. |