Major decline in licensed daycare numbers in Haldimand and Norfolk

More licensed daycare for children is needed in both Haldimand and Norfolk, local officials say.

“Ten is not enough,” Norfolk County Coun. Linda Vandendriessche, (Ward 2) said at a Monday meeting of the Haldimand-Norfolk health and social services advisory committee. “We have some daycare available and I’m pleased about that.

“But I think its important that in our villages and towns, we have some daycare available in some way.”

Vandendriessche said the county needs to be looking at ways of establishing daycare in buildings throughout the county.

“It’s critical.”

Vandendriessche made the comments after being told there are only 10 licensed home daycare operators in both Haldimand and Norfolk. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 23.

During the COVID-19 pandemic daycare centers were forced to close to prevent the spread of the virus. Many have since remained closed.

The issue was raised when county staff sought support to enter into a temporary 18-month contract with Today’s Family, an existing licensed home child-care agency. The new contract will follow an existing agreement with Today’s Family due to expire at the end of April.

Typically, the social services department would begin on a competitive bidding process before entering into a new agreement.

However, the provincial Ministry of Education is developing a new child-care funding formula to improve child care and early education programs across the province.

The new cost-based funding formula is due to be implemented in 2024 and that poses significant challenges for county staff to move forward with a competitive bidding process at this time, the health and social services committee was told.

Entering into an 18-month agreement with Today’s Family gives county staff the time needed to assess the impact of the new funding formula. It also provides stability and continuity, the committee was told.

Jennifer Snell, Norfolk County’s manager, children’s services, said licensed home daycare provides families with greater flexibility in terms of hours. They are especially important in more rural areas where a large daycare center is not viable.

Today’s Family is licensed with the Ontario Ministry of Education and provides oversight of those who are providing daycare in their homes, Snell said.

Expansion of licensed child care is a top priority and its important to provide stability during the transition and expansion to the new funding formula.

Snell also told the committee that recruitment efforts to increase the number of daycare operators are underway.

Haldimand Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley, who chairs the health and social services advisory committee, agreed with Vandendriessche.

“We definitely need more daycare in Haldimand and Norfolk,” Bentley said. “We have commuters in both of our communities and there really is a need.

“Ten is not enough, 30 may be adequate but I agree we need to get into our community spaces and offer some day care.”

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