Some Parents Scrambling for Daycare Options
Prince George, B.C. – The threat of the teachers strike extending into the school year has left some Prince George parents scrambling for daycare options.
Gisele Gamache with Kool Cats Kid Care in College Heights says parents started enquiring about spots for September earlier this month.
"Parents started asking about spots last week. Dozens of parents have been asking."
But as is the case with all daycare's, she says space is limited considering they can only accommodate a maximum of 45 students.
"It's going to be busy. We've told them (parents) we're not sure if we'll have room."
All of this comes as no surprise to Prince George District Parent Advisory Council president Sarah Holland.
"I'm not surprised at all to hear daycare spots would be limited," while also adding, "some parents are grateful they do have daycare, some parents are looking around for options and finding it difficult and some parents are really hoping it won't be necessary at all."
But ultimately she admits the situation is out of their hands.
"We have no control over how long it might last and what might happen."
Comments
don’t understand why they are all of a sudden scrambling for daycare – did they not need daycare during the summer months? surely not everyone had the summer off
Posted by: oldlady61 on August 12 2014 10:11 AM
don’t understand why they are all of a sudden scrambling for daycare – did they not need daycare during the summer months? surely not everyone had the summer off
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Over the course of the summer there are many other options besides day care for the kids. These range from day camps (The YMCA run camps for example)to over night camps (Ness Lake Bible Camp as an example). Plus many, many more summer oriented programs the parents can send their kids to during the summer.
It’s all well and good that the Gov’t has offered the $40/day child care if the Fall session doesn’t start on time, but where are the certified child care facilities going to come from? Those spots are already spoken for usually.
@Pylot: I think a lot of child care facilities that are only open during the summer are making plans to be open in the fall.
Seems to me that the fall back plan for daycare is Grandma and Grandpa. There is also the option of paying for a sitter if push comes to shove.
My guess is that the Teachers will go back to work, because deep down inside they know that they have no support from the general public for this strike.
Staying out on strike after school starts will not win them any friends .
Teachers in BC are well paid, have good benefits and basically are singing and dancing all the way to the bank. So, why upset the apple cart for a few more bucks, and some issues like **Class size**. Go back to work and forget this crap.
They are going to have to settle pretty quick, there is no strike pay fund and teachers are going to be at the food banks down south until its over and they can get a paycheck again.
Older kids should get together and advertise babysitting for younger kids at 40 bucks a day on your home. Keep them occupied and out of trouble and with a pocket full of cash when schools reopen
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