On Feb. 1, hundreds of parents and child care supporters went to Council chambers to urge City Council not to shut down its 7 public child care centres and two satellites. Despite two public polls that voted 2 to 1 for keeping the public centres open, City Council voted 5 to 3 to slam the doors shut on the programs.
 
Public child care programs have been the foundation of Windsor's child care services for decades. They have led the way in providing high quality, flexible child care, while accommodating special needs children, and contributing to early childhood education training.


How Can Local Politicians Work Together To Make Child Care Better In Windsor?

City Council should reverse its decision to close public child care centres and instead:

1. Consult parents, the community and the county about the best plan for children and families in the same way consultation took place during the 2005 consultant's report. 

2. Release a staff report that really looks at the child care crisis in Windsor and makes recommendations based on preserving Windsor's high quality, public and non-profit child care services.

3. Work with parents and child care supporters to pressure the province to provide the child care funding that Windsor needs.

The Province states that there will be a $119 million savings in wage grants alone from full day learning for four and five year olds at full implementation.  This money should be advanced to stabilize affected child care programs and expand learning and care options for younger children.

Take Action:

Tell the five councillors who voted to close our public child care centres how you feel: Coun. Dave Brister, Jo-Anne Gignac; Fulvio Valentinis; Drew Dilkens; Mayor Eddie Francis. You can contact City Councillors by dialing 311.


Call your MPP and tell them the province needs to release child care stabilization funds immediately. Click here to find your MPP.


Email your letter to: letters@thestar.canwest.com. One or two paragraph letters are more likely to be published. Be sure to include your name and phone number, so the Star can contact you.


Sign the Online Petition 


More Information:

Parents Want Quality Child Care

Creating Instability For Parents & Communities

Windsor Child Care Fact Sheet

Child Care Makes Good Economic Sense