EXCERPTS:
Dozens of frustrated parents have launched an online petition to have a decision to shut down child-care program on Uplands Base overturned.
The board of the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC)-National Capital Region recently announced it will be shutting down the before-and after-school child-care programs at Elizabeth Park Public School come fall of 2014.
The petition, which so far has close to 50 signatures, calls for stopping of the cancellation of the program, saying it is the only before-and after-program available for both Elizabeth Park and the adjacent Uplands Catholic School.
"This is a much needed and appreciated program for the military and civilian community surrounding CFB Uplands," the petition stated.
"While our troops are busy serving our country both here and abroad, they should at least have the peace of mind of knowing that their children are being well cared for."
Petition creator Karyn Walker said the planned closure has created a lot of distress among parents.
"The program was, with no exaggeration, an absolute godsend for my family as it allows for a smooth transition for the younger children into the school word and avoids all the kids having to shuffle two or three times a day between home, day-care and school," said Walker. "Rather than being plunked in front of a television set at a stranger's home, the children are interacting, doing crafts, learning and having fun at the same time."
In response to the parent's petition MFRC said the Kids Klub and Kindergarten Klub were established within Elizabeth Park when at one time, the school's demographics were indeed military families.
In a statement released on their website, MFRC said in the past few years, the demographics have shifted where the majority of those attending are now children of civilians.
"This shift has also spilled into our two programs. With low enrolment, funding shortages as well as low military presence within our programs were part of the decision making for closure," the statement said.
However, Walker maintains the program has always been open to civilians.
"The board is arguing that there are too many civilians in the program," said Walker. "Well for all those years, you happily took civilians' money and now it is suddenly an issue. Again, the logic is escaping me. From the get go it has been part civilian and part military."
MFRC added that the planned introduction of full-day kindergarten at Elizabeth Park in 2014, removes the need for alternate kindergarten care.
For Walker, that reasoning doesn't hold water.
"It doesn't make any sense for the before-and after-school," Walker said.
"Full day kindergarten works 9 a.m to 3 p.m, and I don't know of any one who works full time that works less than that."
Meanwhile Elizabeth Park released a statement saying that as part of the implementation process of full-day kindergarten, there will be consultation with the community about the need for an extended day (before and after school care) program.
"This consultation will be an important discussion for our school community next year. Extended day programs can be provided by either the school district or by a third party," the statement said.
Walker said she the resource centre's board reconsiders what she called "this seemingly hasty and, from a parent's perspective, ill-conceived decision."
"It's been a very difficult couple of weeks and a hugely stressful situation when you have two parents working, especially for military members who have a spouse deployed," said Walker. "It is a hugely important program, and we can't afford to lose it. All we can do is to hope this is overturned."
The resource centre said it is doing everything they can to ensure that all families are well informed as well as to minimize the impact on the families and provide alternate services and resources to meet the needs of our community.
-reprinted from YourOttawaRegion.com