Simcoe.com has run an excellent story about EDP – daycare program and costs. It is reasonable for the SCDSB to run one test location this year. There are enough paying students to make the Lions Oval program a viable examination of the program. In addition it will also allow for analysis of the program and a real-world testing of the pen-and-paper estimates included in current board costings.
With this information the school board can initiate discussions with the provincial government about how to amend the funding formula to provide for cost recovery of the Early Daycare Program (EDP).
Aug. 9, 2010 Simcoe.com [Early Learning Day-Care Program]
Board pulls back on plans for extended day care
SIMCOE COUNTY – The Simcoe County District School Board has had to pull back on plans for before and after-school programming for its youngest students.
As the board introduces the province’s early learning program this fall, it will offer an extended day program at only one of its 16 sites, Lions Oval in Orillia.
“Lions Oval (in Orillia) had the most interest, at 11 (families),” said SCDSB associate director Carol McAulay. “Break-even varies, due to supervision. It’s about 18 (kids).”
McAulay acknowledged the fees – which ring in at $23.50 per day for both before and after-school care – are higher than market rates, at approximately $15 per day.
Collingwood/Clearview Trustee Caroline Smith blamed the province for failing to adequately fund the new program, which forced school boards to charge non-competitive fees.
“The Ministry of Education and Premier Dalton McGuinty sat down and created a plan for early learning, but they didn’t make a plan on how to pay for it. They downloaded it to the school boards, and we don’t have the money,” she said.
“No funding stream was provided. Why would you choose to place your child in a daycare situation that’s almost identical to last year’s but at 40-per-cent more?” she said.
