Last week the province announced over 2.7 million dollars in funding for regulated day cares and pre-schools to expand and adapt with the new pre-primary program rolling out.
However, a non-profit day care centre in Queens, was not on the receiving end of any of that funding.
Sarah Plummer, part time director of Queens Day Care says, that’s in part because their location is up in the air.
The Region of Queens declared the building the day care is in, surplus last year after an assessment said the the maintenaince costs of the building were set to rise.
The former school was built in 1957 and its tenants include Queens Day Care, South Shore Family Resource Association, Queens Learning Network and Queens County Food Bank.
The municipality gave the tenants notice they’d have to move by June 2019.
Plummer says, so far they’ve not had any luck finding a home.
“We are doing everything in our power to try to find a space that is reasonable with rent and able to be accessible for parents who need to access it within walking distance of (Liverpool),” says Plummer.
Plummer says Queens Day Care is the only licensed child care centre in Queens County and that it’s a necessary service for many families in the area.
“Right now it’s a struggle to try to figure out what our next step is going to be to make the day care successful and thrive after June 2019.”
Plummer also runs and owns a private pre-school – Reach For the Stars – which has seen enrollment drop due to the new pre-primary program.
She says she’s heard from other pre-school operators who are considering giving up their licences.
“My licensing officer came on Friday and she said she’s had a lot drop off her list because of the new pre-primary program.”
Plummer is worried she will lose income from her preschool and if a new home isn’t found – her job at the day care.
“If there’s no space for the day care, I don’t have that job either.”
Photo and story by Brittany Wentzell
@BrittWentzell
