The Early Learning and Child Care in Peel Council Task Force met on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 9:40 a.m., in the Council Chamber, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton.

Members Present:	B. Crombie*; S. Hames; E. Kolb; G. Miles; E. Moore; J. Sanderson; J. Sprovieri
Members Absent:	P. Palleschi, due to illness; R. Paterak, due to other municipal business; P. Saito, due to a personal matter
Also Present:	D. Szwarc, Chief Administrative Officer; N. Trim, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services; J. Menard, Commissioner of Human Services; S. Pace, Director, Children Services, J. Kaczmarski, Director, Service System Management; P. Lewkowicz, Specialist, Strategic Planning K. Lockyer, Regional Clerk and Director of Clerk’s; C. Law, Committee Clerk

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* See text for arrivals
¨See text for departures

Chaired by Councillor Miles.

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - Nil

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION ELCCTF-22-2012:

That the agenda for the November 15, 2012, Early Learning and Child Care in Peel Council Task Force meeting be approved.

Councillor Crombie arrived at 9:44 a.m.

3. PRESENTATIONS - Nil

4. REPORTS

a) Early Learning and Child Care in Peel Update

Update by Janet Menard, Commissioner, Human Services

Received

Janet Menard, Commissioner of Human Services, provided an update regarding the changes in the early learning and child care environment during the past two months in the Region of Peel. She noted that although some permanent staff resignations have been received, all staff positions have been successfully replaced by qualified, registered Early Childhood Educators; several informal expressions of interest in the LPC facilities have been received; the movement of funds into community-based purchase of service centres for subsidy has begun; and she provided details regarding several commercial childcare centres that have closed and others that have opened in 2012.

In response to a question from Councillor Moore, Joan Kaczmarski, Director, Service System Management, responded that the provincial Full-Day Kindergarten (FDK) plan is still on the original timeline for full implementation by September, 2014. Further, she clarified the differences between several of the provincial and regional funding dollars stating that much of the provincial dollars are for specific purposes while the Region of Peel will try to complement that funding based on Regional Council direction.

In response to a question from Councillor Crombie, Janet Menard noted that should Regional Council approve the funds recommended to be drawn from the Best Start Reserve, then up to 370 new fee subsidy placements could occur immediately. In response to a further question from Councillor Crombie, Paul Lewkowicz, Specialist, Strategic Planning advised that currently there are six vacancies in Purchase of Service Agreement child care centres in the Malton area.

In response to a question from Councillor Sanderson, Janet Menard advised that staff has been in discussion with interested external parties that have expressed informal interest in providing evening care in the future.

In response to a question from Councillor Sprovieri, Janet Menard noted that the primary reason for centre closures was lack of enrolment or the need to make owner operations more viable. The transition of four and five-year olds moving to FDK is a partial contributor to low enrolment.

Regional Chair Kolb asked that the presentation slides be forwarded to all of the Regional Councillors for their information.

Councillor Moore asked that whenever staff has new information that would be valuable to parents, to ensure it is communicated to them.

b) Terms of Reference for the Early Learning and Child Care Task Force (ELCCTF)

RECOMMENDATION ELCCTF-23-2012:

That the Early Learning and Child Care in Peel Council Task Force now be known as the Early Learning and Child Care Task Force (ELCCTF); 

And further, that the updated Terms of Reference for the ELCCTF, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Task Force’, outlined in Appendix I to the report of the Commissioner of Human Services, dated October 2, 2012, titled “Terms of Reference for the Early Learning and Child Care Task Force” be approved.

c) New Child Care User Fees for Learn.Play.Care Centres

RECOMMENDATION ELCCTF-24-2012:

That the child care fees at the Region of Peel’s Learn.Play.Care. (LPC) Centres be increased, as set out in Appendix I of the report of the Commissioner of Human Services dated September 21, 2012, titled: “New Child Care User Fees for Learn.Play.Care. Centres” to achieve full-fee cost recovery for new placements who enrol on or after January 1, 2013 at the Regionally operated LPC Centres;

And further, that the child care fee increase be included as part of the 2013 Human Services User Fee Budget submission or that the necessary amending by-law be presented for enactment, if required.

d) Utilization of Best Start Reserve to Fund Child Care System-Wide Enhancements

RECOMMENDATION ELCCTF-25-2012:

That the $6 million to be spent as outlined in the report of the Commissioner of Human Services dated October 9, 2012, titled “Utilization of Best Start Reserve to Fund Child Care System-Wide Enhancements”: $5.2 funded from the Best Start Reserve R1258 as needed, and, $800,000 redistributed from the Learn.Play.Care. Centres budget, be approved.

5. COMMUNICATIONS – Nil

6. OTHER BUSINESS – Nil

7. NEXT MEETING

To be determined.

8. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.