Darla Dickinson
Contributor
Talk to anyone who has lived in Hope for 20 years and you will hear of the multitude of stores and businesses that once lined the streets.
Slowly, over the years, businesses and companies have closed or moved on and the economic base of Hope has gradually changed. Now, an added deterrent for young families residing in Hope is the challenge of finding child care.
“When I first started in the industry most parents were doing 9-5 but today the economy has changed and we are in desperate need to find child care providers willing to cover shift work,” said Kim Paolini, program coordinator for Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR). “Our 9-5 world is shifting, and we have to learn to shift with it.”
CCRR was created to provide a free resource for parents and child care providers, while ensuring that quality child care is available.
“The needs of parents in Hope are changing, as more and more parents find themselves working shift and weekend work, while most daycare providers are still only offering 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday,” said Paolini. “The solution is simple, we need more care providers willing to work evenings and weekends, or people willing to establish a daycare business to meet just that need.”
Child Care Resource and Referral offers resources, program ideas, equipment and support to set up a licensed child care home based business.
“Our goal is to ensure that child care providers provide the best care possible for children,” added Paolini. “The first five years are the most important for a child’s development.”
Once a business is licensed, the child care provider can have up to seven children, otherwise the maximum number of children they can care for is two (not including their own). In addition, Paolini noted that registered child care providers are eligible for extra subsidy funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development as well as support and resources if they have a particular child that has behavioral issues. In many cases, parents are also eligible for child care subsidy support as well.
For more information, contact Paolini at 604-869-2466 ext. 403 or email kpaolini@hopecommunityservices.com.