Medicine Hat, AB – Following months of financial struggles, the YMCA has announced they will raise the rates for their before and after school care program.
The initiative looks after roughly 11 schools across the City, which accounts for nearly 600 students.
CEO of YMCA Medicine Hat Sharon Hayward explains the reasoning for the price increase.
“What we discovered after the first four months of the operation was that certain parts of the program weren’t happening as both the public school division and the YMCA had anticipated,” explained Hayward. “So, things like lower than anticipated enrollment numbers, the full impact of the difference in staffing models between having an independent operator versus being able to use staff in duel roles and of course the impact of minimum wage due to the employment standard changes last year.”
The YMCA won the contract to take over the before and after school program from the Medicine Hat Public School Division at the beginning of the 2018-’19 semester.
Hayward says the YMCA worked collaboratively with the school division to make this tough decision.
“We have a great partnership with them and together we problem solved what was before us. Nobody is happy about it, not even people on our side. It certainly wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for, but we determined a model that from both our points of view, provides the most flexibility for parents and has the most minimal impact possible.”
The hourly rates will jump from $5/hr to $10/hr.
“The increase really depends on each families usage. We have made sure that the full-time rate we have in place fits within the parameters of the Government of Alberta subsidy rates, so parents that are receiving subsidy for that, won’t notice any difference in that respect.”
One local parent who wasn’t too pleased with the announcement was Kailee Carnelli.
“For me, I have to decide if I’m paying triple the fees and figure out if it is still worth while for me to continue to work,” explained Carnelli. “I’m essentially choosing child-care over career or career over child-care.”
Carnelli says maybe the increase in minimum wage should’ve been considered before the YMCA took over the program.
“To have your prices increase, essentially doubling or tripling in six months, doesn’t seem reasonable and perhaps they should’ve done it in a slower manner, not with less than two weeks notice.”
The changes are set to be implemented on February 1st and Carnelli says it’s crunch time to make a decision on what to do with her son.
“I think we’re pulling him from the program. We just can’t do it. It’s not worth it for us to have him in there anymore, which is unfortunate because the ladies there are really great.”
And after speaking to other mothers in the area, Carnelli says she wasn’t the only one feeling this way.
“They’re very upset. Most of them are looking at unregulated care now which is sad. They’re looking at day homes or moms who are near the school that they can drop their kids off because it’s a fraction of the price. I think that’s the opposite of what we should be doing as a community. We’re not valuing child-care at that point.”
SD76 Superintendent Mark Davidson then added his voice to the conversation.
“We entered into a contract in good faith with the YMCA,” says Davidson. “When they encountered problems, they came to us quickly and talked to us really openly about the challenges they were facing in meeting the cost of the programming. While we’re disappointed that the YMCA needed to raise fees for this service, we certainly believe they remain a good partner.”
Davidson then explained there was a clause within the contract that people should be made aware of.
“The contract says the YMCA could not raise the fees without first consulting with the school division. It didn’t give them the right to automatically raise fees, but it did take into reality that circumstances might change and they might have to consider those changes in fees.”
Davidson says he believes the Y is doing an excellent job in handling the before and after school care program.
“They have a team that is focused on the program because it is their primary concern. So, although we were really saddened by the financial challenges and the impact that it has on families, we certainly believe they’re a great partner and they’ll continue to work with us to keep costs reasonable and make sure the care is high.”
Carnelli finished her portion of the conversation by saying she hopes the YMCA reevaluates their decision.
“I’m just hoping that the YMCA looks at this and realizes this isn’t how we value working families and that’s not how we value our community.”
Hayward then added her piece.
“We have communicated to our program staff that we need to be flexible and accommodating with families through this transition, so we can find a solution that works best for each circumstance.”
