LAURIE WEIR
Carleton Place parents with school-age children in municipal child care will see a 2.5 per cent fee increase starting June 1, 2025, as the town moves to offset rising staffing and operational costs.
The increase applies to services not covered under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (CWELCCA) and is expected to generate an estimated $19,700 in additional revenue over the year. Parents of affected children will be notified, as council has approved the change.
Tracey Freill, manager of Carleton Place Childcare Services, said the adjustment aligns with the cost of living and is lower than last year’s 3.9 per cent increase.
“We are aware of the impact fee increases have on our families,” she said. “But they allow us to continue meeting the standards in care our children and families deserve. Families are always encouraged to apply for subsidies if needed.”
Freill said last year’s increase did not generate any concerns and she noted the new fee structure will help ensure financial stability.
Current fees range from $12 (nursery school) to $49.44 for full day (age 6 and up).
“The new fee structure ensures that whatever comes our way, we’ll have the resources to support our children and staff,” she said.
She also pointed to the need for competitive wages to attract qualified early childhood educators.
“It is becoming increasingly necessary to keep pace with the labour market as fewer people are entering the field of early childhood education,” she said, adding that child-care providers across the county are competing for staff.
A reserve fund is also essential to cover unforeseen expenses and capital costs, she said.
“We have a wait list that is still rather large — 1,100 (children), and that number is up to date,” Freill said, adding that the organization’s strong reputation continues to drive demand.
She described the highest increase as equivalent to the cost of a Starbucks coffee—manageable but always a difficult conversation to have.
Coun. Mark Hinton praised the town’s child-care centre.
“It’s a wonderful centre, and everything that we do there is the best for the children and families who attend,” he said.
However, he was “a little surprised” to see the fee increase.
“We just approved the 2025 child care budget two months ago,” he said. “Within that budget was $793,000 in additional salaries and benefits. The child-care centre is still profitable and has been since we’ve come out of COVID. So, there is ample reserve available.”
Hinton also noted there were no capital projects included in the budget.
“I’m a little concerned with this 2.5 per cent increase for families in these hard economic conditions … people are worried about paying for groceries … their mortgages … tariffs,” he said. “I think if there is a year to hold the rate, this would be the year to do so.”
Chief Administrative Officer Diane Smithson said they have $1.6 million in reserves and she expects to add to that, though final figures for 2024 are not yet available.
“We’re probably going to be around $2 million,” she said.
The town’s daycare study includes a 10-year plan to spend $5 million, with the town responsible for funding $3.1 million, Smithson said.
“So, we’re short $1.1 million that we need to build up in order to do the plan we’ve approved.”
Hinton asked how much is being added to reserves this year and whether it was higher than usual.
Smithson said the county approved $300,000 in funding for 2024, making this year’s figure higher than normal.
“There’s the majority of your surplus. That’s not guaranteed,” Smithson said. “We don’t get that every year.”
Mayor Toby Randell said staffing challenges will continue to be a reality.
“It’s a service that is paid for by users who have children and need child care,” he said. “I think this is a reasonable amount under the circumstances.”
Councillors supported the fee increase as all but Hinton voted in favour of it.
