The daycare requires five ECE’s to operate at full capacity and programming. They are currently short two. In order to accommodate all essential workers’ children, Brolund has had to downsize enrolment in the preschool program by 25%, and the before school program by 50% which also effects grant eligibility.
“It’s a vicious circle,” states Brolund.
The waitlist numbers in Souris are high but not as high as Brandon. Currently there are 30 waiting for preschool and 35 waiting for the nursery program.
The daycare had hoped to expand, however without staff those plans are on hold.
“The biggest disconnect is that opening a new centre takes employees from a currently operating one. It’s just a band-aid solution at this point.”
The concern is hiring and retention. Once ECE’s are found it is difficult to know how soon to commit to reopening. Non-licensed daycares do not take the pressure off as they can only provide care for four preschool children including their own. A licensed home-based daycare can take four infants and up to eight preschool children including children in the household in those age ranges.
“The average career length for ECE’s is five years. It takes two years to graduate from the Government Workplace Program or a community college day program and can take up to five years to graduate from a distance program so really, new hires are just cancelling people out.”
There has been no increase in the number of students going into the daycare field. Brolund cites wages as being the biggest challenge.
In August the provincial Conservatives signed onto the federal childcare plan. It is a $1.9 billion dollar agreement over five years. There has been no further information as to how or when this plan will unfold.
Brolund is anxiously waiting to see what was offered and what can be expected.
“This would bring much needed dollars into the childcare system in Manitoba which can be used to boost wages and help with recruitment and retention issues. It will take years to see the effect of this kind of boost. I’m nervous and excited to see the outcome.”
The Souris Daycare is operating at a reduced capacity and the employees regularly work overtime. Brolund is actively searching for ECE’s. Due to COVID protocols if a staff member calls in sick, the daycare has to close if the appropriate ratio cannot be met.
“If kids go home, parents go home and that’s a big struggle for everyone.”
by KAREN KEMPE, Recorder staff