Mayor Statement on Daycare Challenges

Office of the Mayor
January 31, 2023

RE: Daycare Challenges

Dear Residents,

At last night's meeting, Council approved an approximate salary increase of 20% for our Graduate and Non-Graduate Educators. While the Township of Russell has no obligation to provide such services, Council feels the support of our residents in this area is an invaluable necessity for the continued growth of our community. This step is part of the Township of Russell's plan to attract and maintain personnel in a field of work currently facing significant labour shortages while increasing daycare spaces in our Township.
Further steps will soon include the following:

• The re-opening of a previously closed private daycare at Mother Teresa Catholic School, pending Education Ministry approval, will result in an additional 186 spaces including preschool, and before & after daycare services.
• Taking over as the daycare provider at St-Joseph Russell Catholic Elementary (at the request of the School Board), currently providing 108 spaces, will increase to 270 spaces. pending Education Ministry approval.
• Working with employees by assisting them with schooling costs toward obtaining their Graduate Educator Status as per the Corporation of Township of Russell Human Resources Working Conditions Program.
• Viability study of transforming our current arenas into daycare centres post Recreational Complex Construction.
• Working with the United Counties of Prescott-Russell's (UCPR) Early Year's Services Division to maintain our status as a Licensed Childcare provider under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
• Working actively with Colleges, the Centre des Services Prescott-Russell (CSEPR) and the UCPR in recruitment efforts.

While these steps bring us closer to addressing the current shortage we find ourselves in, we need your help. If you have viable ideas or suggestions on how to address these issues, I would love to speak with you. You can reach me at pierreleroux@Russell.ca.

Yours truly,

Pierre Leroux, Mayor

Quick Facts:

• The Township of Russell entered the traditionally private field in 2009 and expanded in 2014 following a partnership with the CSDCEO.
• From 2016 to 2021, the Township of Russell has seen an 18.6% increase in the overall population and a 21.6% increase in children aged 0-9 years.
• Russell Township is currently licensed for 375 spaces and will be increasing that to 831 spaces, a 120% increase in Township provided spaces.
• Licensed Child Care is offered in a Child Care Centre or private home, and must meet the Child Care and Early Years Act requirements, 2014.
• Russell Township is a licensed Child Care Provider only and plays no administrative or funding role in privately run spaces; this is done through the regional level of government, the UCPR.
• There is an estimated shortage of 8,500 RECEs province-wide.
  

Resources:

• Township Daycare Services 
• Prescott-Russell Early Years Services 
• Ontario's Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014