Service Provider Engagement Session

Transcription

1 Service Provider Engagement Session towards a new Local Early Learning & Child Care Funding Model and Policy Framework February 2015

2 Agenda 1. Agenda Review 2. Icebreaker 3. Guiding Principles Feedback 4. The Context 5. Discussion Areas 6. Wrap Up and Next Steps 2

3 Icebreaker At your table: Name Organization Icebreaker one thing we should know about your organization 3

4 Vision for the Early Years Ministry of Education Vision for the Early Years: Ontario s children and families are well supported by a system of responsive, high-quality, accessible and increasingly integrated early years programs and services that contribute to healthy child development today and a stronger future tomorrow. Peel Children and Youth Initiative/Success by 6 Vision for Early Learning and Child Care: In Peel, all children will thrive 4

5 Guiding Principles for the New Funding Model/Policy Framework Child/Family-Centred Parental Choice and Access (e.g. eliminate stigma) Supports How Does Learning Happen? Pedagogy (builds on foundation that people are curious, competent, capable of complex thinking) Quality and Inclusion Responsive Proactive, Agile and Transparent Efficient Accountable Strong and Sustainable Partnerships System Lens 5

6 Discussion Areas How can we further: 1. Increase Parental Choice and Access to Licensed Child Care 2. Stabilize the ELCC system 3. Enhance ELCC Funding Accountability 6

7 The Context Backgrounder Material Role of the Service Manager (Region of Peel) ELCC Funding Provided to Licensed Child Care Agencies 7

8 Role of the Service Manager Historical Role of the Service Manager Develop and administer local policies respecting the operation of child care and early years programs and services Administer the delivery of financial assistance Coordinate the planning and operation of child care and early years programs and services with the planning and provision of other human services delivered by the service system manager 8

9 Role of the Service Manager Evolving Role of the Service Manager (building on the historical role) Child Care Modernization Act Assess the economic viability of the child care and early years programs and services in the service area and, if necessary, make or facilitate changes to help make such programs and services economically viable Support child care providers through capacity building Assess and make decisions on the impact of public funding 9

10 Funding Type ELCC Funding Provided to Licensed Child Care Providers Purpose Wage Subsidy To improve the salaries and benefits of child care staff, to enhance staff stability, and to make licensed child care more affordable for all parents Wage Improvement Transition Operating To support the increase in salaries of program staff and to increase the payments to private home day care providers Funding Available to Licensed Non-Profit Providers x To support licensed ELCC providers with operating costs to help stabilize the ELCC system x Capital Retrofit To help transition and modernize the child care sector as it adapts to the implementation of FDK. Play Based Material and Equipment Repairs and Maintenance To support ELCC licensed providers provide enriching environments with materials that promote children s learning and development through exploration, play and inquiry. To support ELCC licensed providers and private home day care agencies to maintain compliance with provincial licensing requirements. Transformation Intended for one-time costs for ELCC licensed providers and private home day care agencies to support program viability and facilitate child care transformation. Pay Equity Funding provided as per Memorandum of Settlement (2003) to eligible licensed ELCC agencies x x x x x Licensed For- Profit Providers Agencies in Peel included as per the Memorandum x x x x Note: Wage Enhancement to be available to eligible staff in licensed ELCC agencies in Peel in

11 Discussion Area #1 Parental Choice and Access to Licensed Child Care 11

12 Parental Choice and Access to Licensed Child Care Current Landscape: 2009 Council Resolution precludes new fee subsidy agreements with forprofit providers 5,967 licensed child care spaces are currently not accessible to families who are eligible for fee subsidies Peel is a high growth community with younger demographics 12

13 Parental Choice and Access to Licensed Child Care Current Landscape: Fee subsidy funding is paid directly to providers Subsidized families can only choose from providers with fee subsidy agreements Best practices support fee subsidy follows the child Provincial pedagogy document, How Does Learning Happen?, sees individuals as competent and capable, curious and rich in experience Research indicates a strong link between personal choice/empowerment and happiness and well-being 13

14 Discussion: Parental Choice and Access to Licensed Child Care 1. What might be some barriers to parents/caregivers accessing licensed child care? 2. What can we do to help reduce these barriers and increase access to licensed child care? 3. What are your views on providing fee subsidy funding directly to parents? 14

15 Discussion Area #2 ELCC System Stability and General Operating Model 15

16 Current Landscape: ELCC System Stability Province introduced a new General Operating Expense category that: Requires Service Managers to develop a new General Operating funding model Replaces Wage Subsidy and Wage Improvement Prioritizes serving younger age groups, private home day care (PHDC) agencies, and non-profit providers Peel developed an interim Transition Operating Grant (TOG) in 2013/2014 that: Was provided to non-profit providers only Allocated higher funding to support younger age groups Included funding for PHDC agencies Was in addition to existing Wage Subsidy and Wage Improvement funding 16

17 Discussion: ELCC System Stability and General Operating Model 1. The Province requires Service Managers to consider the following priorities for their General Operating Model and policy: - Supporting child care programs for younger age groups - Supporting licensed Private Home-Day Care Agencies - Supporting Non-profit centres - Stabilizing child care fees - Prioritizing funding based on child care licensing history, financial history and viability of programs - Capacity of programs to access funds through other means a) What are some other priorities we may want to consider in Peel for our General Operating Model and Policy Framework? b) What should we be mindful of when considering these priorities for Peel s new General Operating policy? 2. What do you think about tying eligibility for General Operating to a provider paying program staff at/above a specific wage rate? 3. We anticipate 2015 will be the final year for the Transition Operating Grant (TOG). To support system stabilization and access for parents, under what circumstances should we consider opening up TOG to for-profit providers in this interim period? 17

18 Discussion Area #3 ELCC Funding Accountability 18

19 ELCC Funding Accountability Current Landscape: Greater accountability requirements from the Province of Service Managers Region of Peel has contractual agreements and reconciliation procedures in place for ELCC funding; however, quality assurance visits only required for fee subsidy agreements ELCC Task Force System Recommendations (September 2012): - Enhance quality assurance initiatives - Mandate participation in Raising The Bar for Purchase of Service agreement agencies - Ensure that Purchase of Service agreements include a commitment to provide inclusive care to all children - Make public funds available to centres that are inclusive and welcoming 19

20 ELCC Funding Accountability Current Landscape: Raising the Bar (voluntary peer-driven quality initiative) - Voluntary quality initiative started in Peel in Partnership of CDRCP and Region of Peel out of 238 centre based licensed child care and Ontario Early Years programs participate - Program has not yet been expanded to school-age programs - Some child care providers have their own training/quality initiatives Peel Inclusion Resource Services (PIRS) model - Implemented in of 505 programs voluntarily participate in PIRS (98%) 20

21 Discussion: ELCC Funding Accountability 1. What role, if any, should the Service Manager play in supporting quality child care in Peel? 2. What do you think about all ELCC funding eligibility being tied to a provider s ability to demonstrate: a) inclusionary practices? b) participation in a quality initiative? 21

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