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Changes to age ratios will harm children, reduce child care choices, say residents

WINDSOR, ON – A local community is coming together to halt proposed changes to child care regulations that fly in the face of all accepted research and knowledge about child development. The changes also pose potential safety risks to 12- to 18-month-olds who, with the stroke of a pen, will no longer be cared for as infants but grouped with toddlers up to 2 years.

“This is the third time the Liberal government has attempted to change regulations around child-to-staff ratios and the third time we have had to mount a campaign to defend our children’s care,” said Kim Gilbert, who is a parent, early childhood educator (ECE) and child care representative for the Ontario Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).

“The changes were disgraceful then and they’re disgraceful now.”

WHO: Families, child care workers, and other community members concerned about proposed new regulations that will see 12- to 18-month-olds grouped in child care with toddlers up to 2 years.

SPEAKERS:

  • Lisa Gretzky, MPP for Windsor West
  • Cheryl Hardcastle, MP for Windsor–Tecumseh
  • Kim Gilbert, Social Services Committee Child Care representative for the Ontario Division of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
  • Diane Pettinato, Supervisor, ABC Day Nursery of Windsor 
  • Alicia De La Hamaide, Registered Early Childhood Educator

WHAT: A rally and petition-signing event calling for a halt to proposed changes to licensed child care, which would change age ranges, ECE/EA-to-child ratios, group sizes, staffing and changes to physical spaces

WHEN: Thursday, March 17 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: ABC Day Nursery of Windsor, east end location at 1225 Lauzon Road, Windsor (between Little River Road and Tranby)

For more information, contact:

Kim Gilbert, Child Care Representative, Social Services Committee, CUPE Ontario, 519-817-2579
Carrie Lynn Poole-Cotnam, Chair, Social Services Committee, CUPE Ontario, 613-864-1061
Suanne Hawkins, CUPE National Representative, 519-966-9595
Mary Unan, Communications, 647-390-9839