Chatham-Kent Children's Services. (Photo by Millar Hill) Chatham-Kent Children's Services. (Photo by Millar Hill)
Chatham

Chatham-Kent to mark first PD Day for child care workers

Next Monday will mark the first-ever professional development day for early years and child care workers in Chatham-Kent.

The federal and provincial governments reached an agreement in March that saw Ottawa provide one-time funding for daycares across the province in an effort to recruit and retain staff.

A part of that funding was to provide licensed child care providers with an opportunity to give staff two PD Days.

"Every community is using this a bit differently as to how they are presenting these days," said Director of Child Care Kelly Emery. "We felt it was important to show our early year colleagues that we value the service they provided, especially after these last two years in the COVID-19 pandemic."

On Monday, staff will take part in an all-day virtual event. There will be speakers, experts, and doctors speaking throughout the day. Up to 5,000 participants are expected to join in.

"For a long time, parents have accepted and expected PD Days for learning in the school system," said Emery. "This is going to help enhance the quality of services that we see in our child care centres in Chatham-Kent and all other areas that are partaking in this day as well."

According to Emery, the municipality has been working on recruiting and retaining its child care staff. In the last two years, the community has lost 89 early years and child care staff.

"We need childcare spaces in order to attract people," said Emery. "We have a waitlist. In the last two years, we have lost 89 early years and child care staff in Chatham-Kent. It's a time for us to lift up our field and show staff they are valued."

With child care centres closed, some parents will be left figuring out what to do for child care as no alternatives will be offered. However, Emery said most feedback has been positive.

"We were nervous a bit about this but the parents we have heard from, felt this was important as well," said Emery. "That said, it is still going to be a struggle for some families that don't have a lot of support."

London, St. Thomas, Brantford, and Waterloo will also be joining in on May 9 as well.

"It's time to give back," said Emery.

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