Dufferin County is inviting families with a child or children in licensed child care and other stakeholders to complete a survey about their experiences with child care in the community as part of the Dufferin Workforce Strategy.

Dufferin County has prepared surveys for three stakeholder groups:

• Families with a child or children in licensed child care in Dufferin County
• Educators working in licensed child care in Dufferin County
• Students studying Early Childhood Education at Georgian College

Survey responses will help Dufferin County understand how changes in the child care workforce have influenced family’s experiences, and guide new strategies and activities for Dufferin Workforce Strategy programs.

The survey will remain open until May 1, 2023.

Family survey participants will receive a coupon for a small sundae or dipped ice cream cone from Dairy Queen. Educators and students will have the opportunity to enter into a draw for a chance to win a $100 gift card or an ECE book.

About the Dufferin Workforce Strategy

The Dufferin Workforce Strategy is a part of the Growing Together: Ontario’s Early Years and Child Care Workforce Strategy, which has a goal of building a stronger, more robust workforce by recruiting and retaining more educators in the early years and child care sector.

About quality childcare and ECEs in Dufferin County

Dufferin County delivers a wide range of programs, resources, and services to support early childhood development and child care in the community, including Raising the Bar, a community initiative to promote and support early childhood educators in their continuous commitment to excellence in early learning and child care programs.

High-quality licensed child care provides Ontario’s children with safe, responsive, and caring interactions that helps children develop vital skills and build a strong foundation for their wellbeing and continued development to grow into healthy and productive adults.

Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) are trained professionals with expertise in early childhood development. These professionals must be recognized, valued and fairly compensated for the important role they play in the lives of children, families and communities at large.

All communities need sufficient, qualified and engaged RECEs to perform and deliver evidence-based early learning and child care. They are valuable contributors to pedagogy, relationships, community and belonging and they deserve the opportunity to engage in meaningful work.

Learn more about high quality licensed child care here.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Ball, Manager of Communications
mball@dufferincounty.ca