Campbell's daycare will kick off at the Bayfield Arena in the new year.
In an effort to combat the childcare shortage in Bayfield, the Municipality of Bluewater, a remarkable collaboration has emerged.
At a council meeting on September 5th, Councillor Bill Whetstone first broached the conversation about the shortage of daycare available in Bluewater, after some members of the public approached him with their concerns. The situation, according to Whetstone, has reached epidemic proportions, and is now exacerbating existing issues in the labour market.
To address this pressing issue, a committee formed, including Councillor Whetstone and concerned parents. They conducted surveys to evaluate the community’s needs and preferences. The response was overwhelming and explicit, the community was shouting out: we need childcare, and we need it now.
The Bayfield community stepped up to the plate. Various local organizations have expressed their support and commitment to incorporating childcare services into their facilities. A newcomer to the area with ECE training has stepped up, Emma Campbell will be running a daycare out of the recreation centre in Bayfield in the new year.
The newly created 20 available spaces in Bayfield, though a commendable start, only scratch the surface of the childcare demand in Bluewater. Councillor Whetstone hopes that the move could be the beginning of something bigger.
Campbell says that her experience will provide engaging programming for children.
According to census data from 2021, there are almost 800 families with children living in the municipality, accounting for a little over 1000 children. Staff’s study about daycare availability in the area as presented to MPP Lisa Thompson in a letter from council at the beginning of October said that the municipality could only find spaces available for 419 children.
Campbell says that the effects of lack of childcare availability are extremely obvious when you talk to parents.
The lack of childcare not only affects parents’ ability to work but also influences the decisions of families considering relocation to the area. Councillor Whetstone says that he is looking to advocate for changes at a higher level of government to address this widespread issue.
Campbell says that she is eager to provide a solution and expand the program, offering more spaces to meet the growing demand. She says that lack of childcare can limit the growth of a community.
This initiative is not just about addressing a childcare shortage; it’s a testament to the Bayfield community’s strength, unity, and determination to improve the lives of its residents, one family at a time.
Written by: B. Shakyaver
This story is one of a series that myFM has put together following this issue. For more information, please see our previous coverage here.
Bluewater Sends Letter to Province Addressing Childcare Availability | 90.5 Exeter Today
Lack of Daycare Spaces Prompts Bluewater Council to Address the Province | 90.5 Exeter Today
Bluewater Council Requests Staff Report on Lack of Childcare Options in the Area | 90.5 Exeter Today