WINDSOR, ON – A delegation of Windsor-area families, child care centre operators, and child care professionals will visit the office of Lisa Gretzky, MPP for Windsor West, on Tuesday. They will deliver a petition signed by some 5,000 Ontarians who are demanding a halt to government proposals to lower current provincial standards for licensed child care.
The government is imposing changes to regulations that pose potential safety risks to 12- to 18-month-olds, who will now be cared for alongside toddlers up to 2 years of age. The new regulations also hold serious implications for the progress of child development and will result in an overall reduction in number of infant child care places.
Unlike legislation, regulatory proposals can be made by the government in power following a 45-day comment period; the period for these proposals ends April 1.
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 of age
WHAT: Delivery of a 5,000-signature petition calling on the government to cancel proposed changes to licenced child care, which would change age ranges, educator-to-child ratios, group sizes, staffing and changes to physical spaces
WHEN: Tuesday, March 29 at 3:30 pm
WHERE: Constituency office of Lisa Gretzky MPP, Unit 5, 321 Tecumseh Road East, Windsor
More information about the changes is available at http://www.childcareontario.org/ontario_s_proposed_regulation_changes.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Gilbert, Child Care Representative, Social Services Committee, CUPE Ontario, 519-817-2579
Mary Unan, CUPE Communications, 647-390-9839