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. "A Family Tradition for 130 Years" Local daycare workers have concerns over "Ecker's By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Janet Ecker's first as- signment as minister of community and social ser- vices has received a failing grade from local daycare providers. They expressed concern that cutting pay for child care providers, increasing the child to caregiver ratio and opening up the field to more private care givers will result in a lower quali- ty of care for the province's kids. The discussion paper put forth by the minister last Thursday called for a number of reforms to the way in which child care is provided and funded. And the government claims that if its measures are adopted, they will create thousands more daycare spaces, and subsidies for thousands of dollars in subsidies for lower income families. But local caregivers aren't convinced the meas- ures are the right direc- tion to take. "To me, this isn't goin to create quality ehild care," said Roxanna Gu- miela, supervisor at Utica Daycare. She's primarily con- cerned about a recommen- dation that would increase the ratio of kids per care provider in daycare set- tings. It's currently 8 to 1, but the discussion paper calls for a 10 to 1 ratio. v report Combine that with a pro- posed $4,500 reduction to an average caregiver's sal- ary of $19,000, and you've got a recipe for trouble, said Ms Gumiela. "You need a more capa- ble staff person to handle that (higher ratio of kids), and yet they're going to cut their wages," she said. "I don't see how they're going to make that work." Rosemary Hamilton, program manager at Stonemoor Daycare cen- tres in Port Perry and Ux- bridge, echoes those con- cerns. She participated in round-table discussions held by Janet Ecker in the months leading up to the discussion paper, and wonders now if the govern- ment really listened to what daycare providers were saying. "We were trying to say not to take away the quali- ty," she said, adding that the professionalism of care providers doesn't ap- pear to have been taken into consideration. Recom- mendations such as wage cuts and a more wide-open approach to home-based daycare show that "We re not seen as professionals," said Mrs. Hamilton. "But wee teachers. We're not babysitters." Roxanna Gumiela at Utica agrees the caregiv- ers are underestimated. "T think it's misunder- stood by a big percentage of the population," she said. Karate / Tai Chi Judo / Aikido Samurai Sword / Bo / Sai Try your skills on our equipment Bring a friend & have some fun! Saturday, September 14th PET R CA 15258 Simcoe St., Port Perry 985-0205 er BUSHIDG Ka, MARTIAL ARTS CENTRE Free Admission Refreshment Separates Sale by vvGarn- (1 buya MOUFLON BLAZER at regular price and get a matching top or bottom at 25% OFF Hollywood ; Denim & Cords and for Girls =o J i -- pei . ~ in Regular & Petite sz. 4-18 ~ in fabulous fall colors Sale ends Sunday, Sept. 15 BR@CK'S Service, Quality & Style Since 1881 168 Queen St., Port Perry 985-2521