Child Care Centre Making Changes
October 29, 2008 - Campus Bulletin
The University of Guelph Child Care and Learning Centre will be converting its 10 infant spaces to toddler spaces effective September 2009. The centre will continue operating the infant program until the last child joins the toddler program, so none of the l0 infants currently enrolled will be affected by the change.
During the next few months, the University will try to accommodate a few families who are waiting for an infant spot. Priority will be given to families who already have children enrolled at the centre.
The centre will continue to provide 109 spaces for children between the ages of 18 months and five years. No staff positions will be lost as a result of this move.
In addition, the change will have no impact on the teaching programs offered in conjunction with the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition. Unlike other programs in the centre, the infant program is not used by students in the University’s child, youth and family major for teaching, research and observation.
“We examined every available alternative before reaching this difficult decision,” says Brenda Whiteside, associate vice-president (student affairs). “The centre has been facing a significant structural deficit over the last number of years. Given the University's budget situation, receiving additional financial support was not an option.”
Infant programs are the most expensive to run because the Day Nurseries Act requires one teacher for every three infants. “The University has been subsidizing the program for years, but the shortfall has continued to increase,” says Whiteside.
"Converting these infant spaces to toddler spaces was a logical solution. Even with these changes, the University will have to continue to provide financial support to stabilize the structural deficit. This is just one of many steps being taken in Student Affairs to meet its four-year budget targets.”
