Prairie Lily’s Sacred Heart educators have fully embraced the diagnosis of Breanne Arnold’s nine-month old daughter, Hadley, who was born deaf. They have welcomed the opportunity to train their staff in sign language and other skills to help foster Hadley’s development. This support has been a relief for Arnold, who is confident that her daughter’s needs are being met at the daycare. However, the future of the centre is at risk due to a lack of funding and the implementation of the $10-a-day child care program. Without making cuts to programs and staff, Prairie Lily may be forced to close its doors, putting an end to the support it has provided to many families over the years.
The executive director of Prairie Lily, Cara Steiner, expressed concern about the challenges the centre is facing. New centres are able to access more funding than existing ones, putting places like Prairie Lily at a disadvantage. Steiner highlighted the need for long-term, sustainable funding from the province in order to avoid closure. She emphasized the importance of creating a level playing field for all child care programs to ensure their success. Assistance deputy minister of education, Sameema Haque, acknowledged the need for a funding model that does not create disparities between different operating models and stated that progress is being made in this area. Steiner stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that changes need to happen soon to prevent significant shifts in the child care landscape in the city.
Other child care centres, such as Little Memories and Scott Infant and Toddler, are also operating with a deficit as a result of the $10-a-day child care program. The financial challenges faced by these centres highlight the broader implications of the funding issues within the child care sector. Steiner emphasized the importance of immediate action to address these challenges and prevent further disruptions to the services provided by child care centres in the city. The potential closure of Prairie Lily and other centres could result in long waitlists for families seeking child care services, leaving children like Hadley without the support they need.
The impact of the funding issues on child care centres extends beyond just financial concerns. The relationships built over the years between staff, families, and children are at risk if centres are forced to close due to lack of funding. Steiner emphasized the importance of preserving these relationships and ensuring continuity of care for children like Hadley, whose development and well-being depend on the support they receive from the daycare. The current funding challenges facing Prairie Lily and other child care centres highlight the need for a sustainable funding model that prioritizes the well-being of children and families and supports the vital services provided by these centres in the community.
In conclusion, the financial challenges facing Prairie Lily and other child care centres in the city are putting the future of these vital services at risk. Without immediate action to address the funding issues and ensure long-term sustainability, many families could be left without access to quality child care services. The relationships and support provided by centres like Prairie Lily are invaluable to families like Breanne Arnold’s, who rely on these services to support their children’s development and well-being. It is essential for the province to prioritize child care funding and work towards creating a funding model that supports all child care programs and ensures equal opportunities for success. Otherwise, the child care landscape in the city could undergo significant changes that have far-reaching implications for families and children in need of support.
