Excerpts
A southeast Saskatchewan childcare director is calling on the provincial government to include frontline experts in decision-making, saying the rollout of $10‑a‑day childcare has left directors feeling ignored, disrespected, and financially strained.
Kelly Swayze, director of the Carnduff Community Daycare, has written a detailed letter to the Ministry of Education’s Early Years Branch outlining what she describes as years of frustration from experienced childcare professionals who are excluded from key policy discussions despite managing programs daily.
“Disrespected, Discouraged, and Unheard”
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Swayze says veteran directors, with decades of experience managing staff, parents, boards, and regulatory requirements, are being treated as administrators rather than partners.
Financial Strain and Fundraising Pressures
Swayze warns that the lack of collaboration has contributed to growing financial instability across the childcare sector.
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Staffing Shortages and Empty Spaces
The letter also points to staffing shortages and under‑utilized childcare spaces, noting that availability on paper does not always match reality on the ground.
Swayze says while spreadsheets may show programs operating at capacity, many rooms remain closed due to the absence of a sustainable wage grid needed to attract and retain qualified staff.
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“We Want This Agreement to Succeed”
Despite the criticism, Swayze says directors and educators remain committed to the success of the $10‑a‑day childcare program. “We want to be the ones who help you solve the staffing crisis,” she wrote. “We have the data, we have the experience, and most importantly, we have the heart.”
Swayze warns that without meaningful collaboration, service providers may eventually be forced to reduce the quality of care, lay off staff, or close altogether. “We are not looking for less work,” she concluded. “We are asking for a seat at the table that our expertise has earned.”