Update:

Dear MPP Laurie Scott,

My name is Heather Roscoe, an Early Childhood Educator and mother, writing to you today with an urgent appeal regarding the critical shortage of affordable and accessible childcare in our community. This challenge is uniquely exacerbated by how Minden/Haliburton is currently grouped for childcare funding and decisions with the broader Kawartha Lakes region.

While we appreciate the efforts to expand childcare spaces under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) agreement, the reality on the ground in Minden/Haliburton County is dire. Our county has only two licensed daycare centres (Wee Care in Haliburton and Compass Early Learning and Care in Minden), and while capable unlicensed home childcare providers admirably fill a vital gap, their rates, necessarily reflecting the rising cost of living, inflation, and other economic pressures, often remain out of reach for many families.

The devastating impacts are undeniable:

Economic Impasse & Poverty: Parents, especially those who are unemployed or low-income, are forced into an impossible choice between paying bills and securing childcare. This direct lack of access prevents them from entering or re-entering the workforce, trapping families in a cycle of poverty. Our poverty rate in Haliburton County, at 17.2%, is significantly higher than the provincial average of 12.3%, with 23% of our children living in poverty – a reality that cannot change without the foundational infrastructure of childcare.

Alarming Waitlist Growth: The demand for licensed childcare far outstrips supply. As recently reported by The Highlander, the waitlist for childcare in our region has grown from 4.2 years to a staggering six years since December 2023. This grim statistic doesn't even account for the influx of new families who have moved to our area since the pandemic, often with children already of childcare age, placing even greater strain on an already saturated system. Wee Care's administrator now advises expectant parents to put their child on a waitlist as soon as they find out they are pregnant. We cannot wait any longer; access is needed now.

Rural Neglect: While federal and provincial CWELCC initiatives aim for childcare expansion, the focus often disproportionately benefits urban centres. Smaller, rural communities like Minden/Haliburton frequently become "childcare deserts," overlooked in broad-stroke funding allocations. We urgently need a more nuanced approach that recognizes and invests directly in our specific needs.

Community Vulnerability: Having keenly felt the impact of the Minden hospital closure, our community cannot afford the continued erosion of essential services. We are deeply concerned that rising costs could force more crucial unlicensed providers to close, further diminishing an already scarce resource.

Workforce Backbone: Childcare is the backbone of our workforce. Without it, many, especially women who disproportionately bear the burden of care, face significant barriers to employment, hindering our local economic recovery and stability.

We commend the County of Haliburton's proactive steps, including the ongoing efforts to redevelop the Wee Care property on County Road 21 in Haliburton for expanded daycare, housing, and other potential uses. The County has been in talks with Haliburton Wee Care, Habitat for Humanity, and the City of Kawartha Lakes for 18 months, demonstrating their clear understanding of the need for county-owned assets in childcare expansion.

 While a "shovel in the ground" is still 12-18 months away, these efforts are crucial. We are also encouraged to learn that the County is seeking a delegation with the Minister of Education at the AMO conference in August to discuss ways the province can expedite the process for more daycare spaces. Now, we need the provincial government's direct financial support to accelerate these vital efforts.

Our Call to Action for the Ontario Government and for your direct support, MPP Scott:
 

Expedite Funding for County-Owned Childcare Infrastructure: We urge the Ontario government to create or expand existing funding streams specifically dedicated to assisting counties like Haliburton in acquiring, renovating, and building new properties for licensed childcare centres. This direct investment in county-owned infrastructure, particularly for projects like the Wee Care redevelopment, is crucial to rapidly expand the supply of spaces and shorten the alarming six-year waitlist.

Support Established Local Operators' Expansion: We ask for provincial funding and policy that actively supports the expansion of successful, locally owned and operated licensed childcare providers like Haliburton Wee Care. By partnering with existing, trusted organizations and their experienced staff (Ministry of Education, Registered Early Childhood Educators, and support staff), we can efficiently open more locations and bring more families into licensed care.

Prioritize Rural "Childcare Deserts": We request your strong advocacy within the provincial government to implement a childcare funding model that explicitly recognizes and prioritizes the unique and severe childcare shortages in rural ridings like Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock. This means targeted allocations that address our high poverty rates and the devastatingly long waitlists that cripple our community. We ask you to strongly support the County's delegation at the AMO conference seeking to expedite provincial processes for childcare expansion.

Childcare is the essential infrastructure that underpins our workforce and enables our community to thrive. Families in Minden/Haliburton County need immediate, tangible action to access the childcare they desperately need and deserve.

Sincerely,

Heather Roscoe

Re: Proposal for Expanding Affordable and Accessible Childcare Access in Minden/Haliburton County through a Non-Profit Organization

Dear Minden/Haliburton County Council,

My name is Heather Roscoe, and I am writing on behalf of Little Blue Roof Childcare, a local childcare provider dedicated to serving families in Minden/Haliburton County. We were recently encouraged to learn that Little Blue Roof Childcare was mentioned in a meeting regarding the County's initiative to open more childcare spaces. This motivated us to formally propose the establishment of a non-profit organization, Minden & Haliburton County Children's Network (MHCCN) by the county to be dedicated to expanding affordable and accessible childcare access throughout the county.

The Challenge:

As you are aware, there is a critical shortage of affordable and accessible childcare options in our community. This shortage presents a significant barrier for families seeking employment and educational opportunities. Additionally, many families lack access to crucial support services and early intervention programs for their children.

The Opportunity:

Fortunately, both the Ontario and Canadian governments have recently allocated significant funding and grants specifically for the expansion of childcare spaces and facilities. This presents a unique opportunity for Minden/Haliburton County to address the childcare shortage and improve the lives of countless families.

The Solution:

Minden & Haliburton County Children's Network (MHCCN) would be led by a dedicated board of directors and an experienced Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE). The RECE would bring their expertise in child development and early learning to the forefront of the organization's mission. Together, the board and RECE would oversee the following:

• Partnership for Streamlined Acquisition of County-Owned Sites: We propose a collaborative effort to acquire operational childcare facilities currently owned by the County. This partnership would leverage the County's existing infrastructure and streamline the transition process, minimizing disruption to current operations and families. We would prioritize staff retention through a comprehensive onboarding and training program.
• Direct Management of New Childcare Centers: Establish and operate brand new daycare centers in strategic locations throughout the county. These centers will be guided by a play-based philosophy that emphasizes exploration, discovery, and fostering a love for learning in a nurturing environment. This philosophy aligns with provincial guidelines for early learning and development.
  
  
• Home Care Agency Function: Oversee a home care agency function, leveraging Little Blue Roof Childcare's expertise in writing policies and procedures for a home childcare agency. We can readily adapt these procedures to encompass childcare center licensing requirements. This function would offer families flexibility and cater to diverse needs.
  
  
• Standardization and Quality Control: Implement rigorous quality control measures across all childcare settings under the non-profit's umbrella, including both daycare centers and home care services. While we won't have a single, mandated curriculum, we can ensure a consistent approach to early learning activities and development that aligns with provincial guidelines.
  
  
• Staff Development and Retention: Develop programs and foster an environment that attracts qualified childcare professionals and encourages their long-term retention, with opportunities for growth within both daycare centers and the home care agency. Allowing for individuals to work at multiple places, within the same company. 
• Partnership for Enhanced Support: Collaborate with neighbouring counties to create a network of childcare providers. This partnership would allow us to share resources, expertise, and best practices, ensuring access to vital support services and early intervention programs not currently available to all families in Minden/Haliburton County.
  
  
• Technology for Family and Staff Communication: We propose utilizing the TeachKloud app to enhance communication and collaboration between families, staff (including those in the home care function), and the central administration. TeachKloud allows for secure sharing of daily reports, photos, and updates, fostering stronger family-teacher relationships and a sense of community. Additionally, the app facilitates efficient documentation, streamlining record-keeping and ensuring transparency for all stakeholders.

Creative Solutions for Expanding Childcare Options:

In addition to traditional childcare centers, Minden & Haliburton County Children's Network (MHCCN) will explore innovative solutions to increase childcare accessibility throughout the county. Here are a few examples:

• Partnerships with Existing Institutions: We see potential for collaboration with organizations like long-term care facilities (LTC) that have expressed interest in on-site childcare options for staff. We can explore establishing smaller "family group licensing" centers, catering to up to 15 children, which may be a more feasible option compared to full-scale childcare centers.
  
  
• Adaptive Reuse of Existing Properties: We will identify underutilized properties suitable for conversion into childcare centers. For instance, a property like the one listed at link to realtor.ca listing for example; 2 Victoria Street, Haliburton could potentially be repurposed to create a vibrant childcare space.

These are just a few initial ideas, and Minden & Haliburton County Children's Network (MHCCN) is open to exploring other creative solutions in collaboration with the County and the community. Our goal is to expand childcare options across the entire county, potentially from Kinmount to Cardiff, ensuring accessibility for all families, regardless of location or socioeconomic background.

Possible Non-Profit Names:

We acknowledge that "Minden & Haliburton County Children's Network" might be a mouthful. While we believe it effectively captures the essence of our organization, we are open to considering alternatives. Here are a few other suggestions:

• Growing Futures: A Minden-Haliburton Childcare Initiative
• The Playful Pines Childcare Society
• Little Blue Roofs & Beyond

We are open to your feedback on these names, and we welcome any suggestions you may have for a name that best reflects our mission.

Call to Action:

We believe that Minden & Haliburton County Children's Network (MHCCN) can play a vital role in addressing the childcare shortage in Minden/Haliburton County. Our commitment to affordability, accessibility, and innovative solutions will ensure that all families have access to high-quality childcare. We were especially encouraged to learn that Little Blue Roof Childcare was mentioned in a recent meeting regarding childcare space expansion. We see this as an opportunity to leverage our experience and expertise to create a comprehensive solution for the County. This collaboration of forming a non-profit by the County does not have to include Little Blue Roof to be successful.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss this proposal with the community and county to further and explore how we can work together to create a more sustainable childcare system for our community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Heather Roscoe

Little Blue Roof Childcare