Childcare is critically lacking in Tumbler Ridge.
In order to attract staff, the Tumbler Ridge Children’s Centre Society (TRCCS) is expecting to need to increase the amount it is paying staff to actually attract qualified people to town.
Currently, the TRCCS is paying $135,000 annually in wages. But for the next year, they are expecting that to climb to $163,000 to stay in line with Early Childhood Educators of BC (BCECE) recommendations.
According to census, there are 155 kids in Tumbler Ridge between the ages of zero to four, says Board Member Erin Pichurski. “And that looks to be increasing almost daily,” she says. “This means the need for pre-school and childcare programs is going to be increasing, something that we are seeing.”
Also, the second-largest group of people are in the age range of 20-39. “These are the ages where families are growing, and so does the need for childcare,” says Pichurski. “For families to participate in the local workforce, which promotes our local economy and increase people’s investment in the community. So childcare is very important.”
She says the centre is currently in a tight spot. “We do have a staff shortage.”
Still it’s not all bad news, she says. Since their last conversation with council, Pichurski says the TRCCS has increased networking opportunities through their digital platforms, thanks to the help of the District as well as Conuma.
“Our application to the operating funding program to increase their fees has been approved,” she says. This means that costs will be going up five percent starting in September, which in turn means they will be able to cover more of their costs. The board is also planning on applying for another increase in fees, just to be comparative with other centres in the area. She says the rates in Tumbler Ridge are half what she was paying before moving here. “That’s crazy,” says Pichurski.
However, because child care rates are regulated by the government, five percent is the maximum they can increase.
The TRCCS board has also been able to get sponsorship for staff’s continued education from local businesses, so staff can meet their yearly education requirements for licensing. “And just to support the staff to increase their qualifications,” she says. “We want to have qualified staff at the centre.”
With fees going up, so are rates of pay for staff in order to attract new staff and retain the staff currently working at the centre. “We’re looking at a gradual increase in staff wages over the next six months,” she says. “That’s based on looking at information from the BCECE as well as BC job postings for similar positions.” She says if the centre can’t attract and retain staff, the centre would have to close.
A new administrative assistant position is being created to assist the executive director, which will allow the executive director to better serve the children.
At the present time, the centre is running a deficit of $20,000/year. “That doesn’t include staff education,” she says.
And, with wages going up, she says the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 TRCCS operating years will run at about a $49,000 deficit per year, totaling about $98,000 over two operating years. “It’s important to note that this is just a projection, and doesn’t include grants, which is where a lot of our funding comes from,” says Pichurski. “But grants are not a guarantee, and we cannot depend on them for staff wages or the day-to-day running of the centre.”
So, she says, the TRCCS is asking the District for $80,000 over the next two years to assist with staff wages, with the remainder {$18,000) of the deficit paid with TRCCS Savings.
Currently, parents with kids in preschool three days a week pay $167. In the fall, that will be going up to $175.35. Two days a week costs parents $111; in fall that is going up to $116.65. Full time care is $689; that is going to $723.45.
In September, the YMCA is going to be presenting to council about working in conjunction with the TRCCS and possibly bringing in $10/day daycare to Tumbler Ridge.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
