This project will create systemic change by easing entry into this career pathway for newcomers to Canada and low-income women, non-binary and trans people, while building understanding in municipal partners and equity-seeking community organizations of the barriers facing low-income and newcomer women entering the field of child care in order to drive services that reflect their needs for income stability. This project is funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada, until March 2024.
 
To support the work’s processes and address intersectional needs, Compass Early Learning and Care will be working with the New Canadian Centre, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, and Indigenize.ca Niijkiwedidaa Anishnaabekwewag Service Circle, Pflag Canada Durham Region, Community Counselling Resource Centre. Additionally, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Region of Durham, Northumberland County, City of Peterborough, Association of Early Childhood Educators, Home Child Care Association of Ontario, and Andrew Fleck Children’s Services have been identified as key partners and stakeholders. 

The aim of this project is to create systemic change by easing entry into this career pathway for people who identify as one or more of the following: newcomers, immigrants, or refugees to Canada, low-income woman, 2SLGBTQ+.

Internal evaluations will be conducted on an ongoing basis and at the end of the project (March 2024). There will be opportunities to collaborate and to receive feedback and recommendations from project partners and participating providers.

The Newcomer Home Child Care Expansion in Central Ontario is a WAGE-funded project, and evaluations will be conducted. Evaluating this project can be understood as research in the sense that both the government and Compass Early Learning and Care are learning how best to ease entry into this career pathway for people who identify as a newcomers, immigrants, or refugees to Canada, low-income woman, 2SLGBTQ+.

Compass Early Learning and Care is a progressive, non-profit, organization where we work collaboratively to provide excellence in early learning and care. The richness and uniqueness of our learning environments are an invitation for adults and children to discover together the joy of learning. Compass Early Learning and Care envisions a place where children are valued as citizens of today; where the principles of democracy guide relationships with children, families, colleagues and our community. Learn more at https://www.compasselc.com

Compass Early Learning and Care acts as a Home Child Care licensing agency within the following five regions: The City of Peterborough, Durham Region, Northumberland County, The City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County. You can learn more about this by visiting our Home Child Care Provider webpage at https://www.compasselc.com/careers/provider/

In addition to the supports that all Compass ELC providers receive, project participants receive:
 
– Ongoing support to address the barriers you experience in relation to your Licensed Home Child Care program.
– Honoraria paid for completing interviews and participation in focus groups at $25.00 per non-working hour.
– A $1000.00 materials start-up package.
– Access to translation services.
– Connection to community partners who serve newcomers to Canada, the 2SLGBTQ+ community, indigenous identities, racialized identities, people seeking housing support.
– Reimbursement for travel expenses related to the project.
 
Project coordinators will have ongoing conversations with you to discuss barriers you experience in relation to being a Home Child Care provider. Project coordinators then work with partners, stakeholders, internal staff, and policy makers to advocate for methods to reduce and/or alleviate barriers. Project participants will engage until the project ends in March 2024. This is a wonderful opportunity to create a sustainable Licensed Home Child Care program. Furthermore, your knowledge and experience will help to drive more equitable systems in Licensed Home Child Care programs within Central Ontario.

You are qualified to participate in this project if you:

– Are beginning a Licensed Home Child Care program which is licensed by Compass Early Learning and Care.
– Self-identify as one or more of the following:  Newcomer, immigrant, or refugee to Canada, low-income woman, 2SLGBTQ+.
 
We welcome you to contact us if you would like more information or would like to chat about participant eligibility.

No. The Newcomer Home Child Care Expansion in Central Ontario is a project funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada, and there are no costs for providers in addition to the costs of operating a Licensed Home Child Care program. 

There are additional responsibilities for project participants, such as being in communication with project coordinators to discuss the barriers you experience, as well as your hopes for aid. While this is so, we think carefully about the time commitment for participants and are flexible regarding meeting format and methods of communication. In other words, there will not be a large additional time commitment for project participants.