See below for the Press Release that just came out…it is a step in the right direction.

“We have listened to the preliminary feedback from the public and stakeholder consultation process to-date regarding proposed changes to the Child Care Facilities Act. We recognize that there is more work to be done and that a more in-depth process with broadened membership is needed. This will help to ensure a comprehensive child care system that focuses on quality programming and safety for our Island children.” Honourable Doug Currie, Minister of Social Services and Seniors

I wonder how exactly more work will be done and how a more in-depth process with broadened membership will be achieved?  Is it by extending the consultation timeline and having one extra meeting or is there more?  Don’t get me wrong, this is a step in the right direction, but I sure do hope there is more to it than this.

February 14, 2008

MINISTER COMMENTS ON CHILD CARE FACILITIES ACT CONSULTATION

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI — Honourable Doug Currie, Minister of Social Services and Seniors issued the following statement today about Child Care Facilities Act consultations.
“We have listened to the preliminary feedback from the public and stakeholder consultation process to-date regarding proposed changes to the Child Care Facilities Act. We recognize that there is more work to be done and that a more in-depth process with broadened membership is needed. This will help to ensure a comprehensive child care system that focuses on quality programming and safety for our Island children.”
The Minister said that it would be premature to comment on the status of the legislation until government receives further input. “Consultations will proceed to completion and another public consultation meeting is scheduled for February 27 to allow this important discussion to continue,” said Currie.
The meeting will be from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express on Trans Canada Highway in Charlottetown.
Written submissions are welcome until February 15, 2008. Submissions may be sent to Child Care Facilities Consultations, c/o HRA, 1 Harbourside, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 8R4. Those interested can also complete an online survey at hra.ca/ccfasurvey. For more information, please call the Early Childhood Services Division of the Department of Social Services and Seniors at 368-6513.

More About Child Care PEI

So Rob is right…there is quite a stir going on PEI regarding possible changes to the Child Care Facilities Act.  For some history on the events that have transpired in recent days click HERE.  Also read the recent articles in The Guardian and on the CBC. There is also a Facebook group that has been set up for individuals who are concerned about this issue.

Over my many years of being involved in child care I have seen many different variations of consultation processes in communities across the country.  Certainly, there can be ranges in the level of quality in these processes, that is to be expected. Sometimes consultations are hurried along faster than what any of us might like.  Sometimes they are slow and methodical and seem to take forever to complete. Sometimes they are just right.  Unfortunately, what has happened on PEI in recent days seems to be fairly hurried and almost predecided.  This is certainly concerning.  How can a consultation truly be a consultation if it appears that the answers are already in place?  How can a consultation be open and accountable if it is over before anyone even knows that it is happening?

I Googled the definition of the word consultation.  Here are a few of the definitions that came up:

A technique of social interaction where opinions of all stakeholders are sought before a decision is made.

Seeking information or advice from another person taking into account their feelings, interests and expertise.

Communication between persons/groups. May have a range of purposes including the collection or dissemination of information, or identification or resolution of issues. There must be a willingness to listen and change, adequate information and sufficient time.

Here is an example of a Press Release for a child care regulation consultation process that took place in British Columbia a few years ago.  The date of the Press Release was September 10, 2004. See below for key timelines related to when and how people could make submissions. My point in listing this is simply to demonstrate that successful consultation processes should allow for ample time, stakeholder notification and dialogue.  This is especially essential if major changes are anticipated as an outcome of the consultation process.

The consultations will take place through to Oct. 28, 2004 and will enable people in care, their families and care providers, advocates and the public to review and discuss the proposed changes. Members of the public are encouraged to submit written presentations at the consultation meetings or via the ministry’s website at…until the end of December. The consultation documents will be posted to the website following the public meetings. The updated regulations are expected to take effect in spring 2005.