After 10 years of operations, providing high-quality childcare in Ajax, Durham College and Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announce with much regret the closure on June 30, 2000 of the Hydro-Durham College Early Learning Centre.
The centre, which provides care for 65 preschoolers, was established in 1990 as a partnership between the college and OPG. It has a full-time staff of eight.
"Our partnership with Durham College in this and other projects has been mutually beneficial," says Brian MacTavish, senior vice president, Ontario Power Generation. "When the centre was established a decade ago there was a need among OPG staff to have a centre near their workplace. Today, however, only seven of the centre's 65 children have parents who work for OPG. With such a small share of the enrolment, the corporation felt it could not continue to fund 85 per cent of the centre's $280,000 annual operating deficit." Durham College contributes the remaining $41,000.
In addition to providing top-quality care to many preschoolers over the past decade, the centre provided very valuable field placement experience to a number of students in Durham's Early Childhood Education (ECE) program. Current and future Durham ECE students can gain practical training at the college's childcare facility at the Oshawa campus and other childcare centres.
"It was a very difficult decision, as a tremendous amount of energy and commitment went into the creation and operation of the centre. Both our college and Ontario Power Generation are extremely proud of what we accomplished," says MaryLynn West-Moynes, vice-president of academic excellence and innovation at Durham College. "We worked very hard to find another organization willing to partner with us, but our efforts were unsuccessful."
| News Release | Hydro-Durham College Early Learning Centre |
The June 30, 2000 date was chosen to give centre staff plenty of time to search for alternate employment, and parents adequate time to prepare their children for the change and to find other childcare arrangements that continue to meet their needs. Staff, parents and government officials have been informed of the closure.
"We are working very closely with our staff members to help them prepare for the change, and assistance will be available to parents who need help in finding a new caregiver," notes West-Moynes.
Contacts:
Bonnie Ginter-Brown
Executive Director, Student Services and Communications
Durham College & University Centre
905-721-3111, ext. 2567
Pat O'Brien
Manager, Public Affairs
Ontario Power Generation
905-839-1151, ext. 5966
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