The Citizen, 2008-04-17, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2008.
Safety first
While the new fire escape lane at Huronlea in Brussels is all about safety first, it provides
residents with a nice walking trail that will take them to the back of the building where they
hope to build a gazebo in the near future. Fundraising is ongoing for that project. There to cut
the ribbon last week, were Huron County warden John Bezaire, left, resident and chair of the
Huronlea residents council, Rob Mensinga, centre; and Huron County councillor and chair of
the senior and cultural service committee, Jim Fergusson. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Val Watson of the North Huron
Children’s Centre attended the April
7 meeting of council to review
payment policies for the facility.
Watson, who came on board as
manager last year, said that the
previous history on billing had been
a move to monthly billing where
parents paid for their spot in
advance.
“I think it’s restrictive because
parents are fearful of paying for
days that they won’t be using the
centre.”
She suggested instead having
parents book pre-set days to allow
some flexibility. “For example if a
parent books Monday, Wednesday
and Thursday they have reserved
those days and will be billed for
them.”
Changes or additions would only
be allowed if staffing and the
numbers permit.
“I think it will encourage more
parents to use the centre on a drop-in
basis.”
Any parents who want a
guaranteed space, however, will still
need to go with booking schedule,
said Watson.
Statutory holidays are another
issue with some parents. However,
Watson said this will continue under
the new policy.
Another change will be with
regards to sickness. “There was no
flexibility for illness. I’m proposing
they pay 100 per cent for the first
day their child is ill, then 50 per cent
on the second consecutive day. After
that it will be no charge for each
consecutive day. I think parents will
view this positively and see us as
being supportive of them.”
Recalling the past winter and its
many storm days for area schools,
Watson said that if the centre is open
and a child has been booked the
parent must pay for the day. “We are
fortunate that we have a lot of local
staff who are able to accommodate
those who make it in. There was one
day when the highway was closed
and we still had 18 children there at
9 a.m. when we opened.”
With the approach of summer, the
current policy saw many parents
pulling out as they didn’t want to
pay when on holidays. “I propose
that we allow them to book three
weeks in advance in writing for one
week blocks. They will be billed
daily for that month.”
While first-time parents are given
a tour and have the policy explained,
it’s a lot of information to absorb.
Watson suggests a written
agreement will be a good tool to let
parents know what the centre is
about. “We’re being clear on what
we expect up front.”
Besides encouraging parents to
use the facility, Watson said the
policy changes will help with staff
scheduling. However, she said, there
are challenges at the Wingham
facility not present at many other
day cares. “Scheduling can be
difficult because a lot of our children
are part-time.”
Councillor Archie MacGowan,
who as the father of a young child
makes use of the centre, expressed
his appreciation for the vacation
days. “I think that’s a big win for
families.”
Kriss Snell, clerk-administrator,
said that as a parent he never liked
the pre-month booking system. “I
think this policy offers reasonable
rules for families while addressing
the bottom line.
Council approved the policy
changes.
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Spring has Sprung
Everything is growing at
GREYHAVEN
gardens
It’s time for custom planting
Located 500 yds. west of Londesborough
on County Road 15
519-523-9781
Just drop off your
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New policies in place at
NH Children’s Centre
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen