HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-02-14, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2008.
From infancy to school-age,
Huron’s Children’s Services see that
the county’s youngsters are well
taken care of.
Evy McDonagh has been
children’s services manager for
seven years. Her role for is to
oversee any children’s services
funded by the Ministry of Children
and Youth for the county.
And those services are legion. “I
support all child care centres in
Huron. I manage special needs
resources, Early Years, support the
Best Start program and also manage
and approve requests for fee subsidy
for child care.”
McDonagh came on board when
much of services had been
downloaded onto the lower
municipalities. There was a lot of
change to how child care was going
to be delivered and the number of
programs available to meet the
needs of all families.
ONTARIO EARLY YEARS
The Ontario Early Years program
was first introduced in 2001. It’s a
free program for parents and
children that promotes early literacy
and numeracy. “It’s for school
readiness,” said McDonaugh,
adding that they provide parent
resources as well. “There is no
charge for anything Early Years does
for parents.”
Ontario Early Years has 35
locations in the county for learning
and child care play groups, led by
early childhood educators or
university graduates. “They are in
church basements, municipal
buildings, anywhere we can be.
Also, we are constantly reviewing,
and changing. If a location is not
working, we move.”
Each summer, they do a school
readiness program, in which the
parents must be involved.
HURON COUNTY
COMMUNITY HOME CHILD
CARE
McDonagh also manages the
Huron County Community Home
Child Care. People are given the
opportunity to have their child cared
for in an approved-home right in
their community. “We pay a visit to
insure that they meet the strict
Ministry guidelines.”
The HCCHCC homes can have
five children and offer 24-hour care.
“It’s not financially viable for a day
care to open weekends and nights,
so this fills that void in child care
availability.”
While the caregiver need not have
ECE certification, they are provided
with resources and information to
improve the quality of care they
provide. “It’s not to say that an ECE
is any better than Mrs. Smith, but
it’s monitored care.”
GROWING TOGETHER
The county’s Growing Together
Program assists children with
special needs. While it is primarily
for children up to the age of six,
McDonagh said they do support
them up to 12. There are seven
resource consultants who work with
the school, the childcare system and
outside agencies on the program.
Parents can refer their child if they
feel they need outside help and all
the staff are educated in special
needs resource, said McDonagh.
Children are assisted with the
transition to school. “We pull
everyone together. A team to work
with the child for the best outcome.
If they are attending a centre and an
extra pair of hands are needed this
staff goes in and advocates for that.”
County families in need of
financial support for day care can
apply for subsidies through
children’s services. McDonagh said
parents are income tested using the
previous year’s tax return. “It’s a
sliding scale so they could end up
paying nothing.”
No one should be reluctant to
apply. “Under $20,000 there is no
cost for daycare. The highest
income I’ve seen approved for
subsidy was $70,000.”
McDonagh said people should
contact the office and staff will let
them know if they qualify. “You
have to be working or going to
school. The only exception would
be if the child has been
recommended and that has to bedocumented.”BEST STARTBest Start is for children enrolledor entering school. “It supports thechild in junior or senior
kindergarent when they are not in
the regular classroom.”
Currently Best Start is offered in
Goderich, Wingham, Clinton,
Seaforth and Exeter.
There is also a before and after
school program that supports Best
Start. “I see it as a support to full-
time JK and SK by 2010 and
hopefully we will have Best Start in
every school. It’s a great initiative
and I’m excited to have it in so many
schools in our county. The numbers
and attendance have been great.”
“The whole idea of Best Start is to
make a seamless day to help parents
with childcare on the child’s day off
from school.”
In many cases the program is
being supported by the kindergarten
class through the sharing of toys and
resources. Reading buddies from
senior grades have been established
in some of the school. “This is a sign
that it is being viewed as part of the
school system.”
Anyone interested in learning
more about the services offered by
the county can contact the office at
1-888-371-5718 or locally at 519-
482-8505. Or go to the website at
www.huroncounty.ca/childcare
“It’s a wonderful tool for parents.
Communication with children’s
services also makes other agencies
available. “We also work withOntario Works and social housingclients. We have worked to integrateservices so people don’t have to goto different places to get what theyneed. I think it’s a better system.”
McDonagh uses an example to
illustrate. “Let’s say a farm
immigrant walks in the door. They
need help with social assistance.
Then they will probably need
housing and child care. One
department will get the story then
guide them through the rest of the
process. It is our social services
administrator’s mantra, ‘it’s not
what you want, but we we can do for
you.’ That’s how we see our
system.”
“We are working for the well-
being of all Huron County families.”
Children’s Services has programs for every age
For moms and little ones
The Ontario Early Years program offers many opportunities for parents at no charge. At
Brussels Public School library this group enjoys a play time dedicated to encouraging
interaction between caregivers and little ones. From left: Janice Bell and Sammy, educator
Yvonne Wilts, Liz Hickling and Teagan, Julie John with Malakum and Kavayah. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
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By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen