Editor,
In the Nov. 4 issue of The Chief there appeared an article on unlicensed child care in Squamish. I would like to dispel some of the errors in that article.
Regarding the "Gap leaves parents scrambling": through the efforts of care providers in the area there are many childcare spaces available. Several care providers accommodate part time care. Currently eight licensed or registered care providers have spaces. The Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) is the most comprehensive source for current information regarding childcare in Squamish. If parents are seeking childcare they are urged to contact the CCRR.
We are very fortunate to have seen a great deal of growth in childcare in 撸奶社区in the past six months. There have been two new licensed facilities in the last two months, and at this time several people are going through the process.
The CCRR supports anyone caring for children, including parents, family members, License Not Required care providers (cares for no more than two children, not including their own), nannies, Licensed Family and Group centers. We are part of a non-profit society and there is no charge for our services. If someone is caring for more than two children unrelated to them by blood or marriage they are required by the province of British Columbia to be licensed. Child Care Resource and Referral is not a regulatory body. Licensing occurs through the Coast Garibaldi Health unit. We are, however, available to answer questions and support caregivers through all aspects of providing care.
The CCRR offers many training opportunities, operates a toy lending library, and is involved with community events. If you have any questions regarding childcare please contact Child Care Resource and Referral at 38370 Buckley Ave. or by calling 604-815-4144.
Jeanne Cameron
Sea to Community Services Child Care
Resource and Referral Consultant
Daycare space was available
Editor,
Re: "Unlicensed daycare shutdown frustrates parents", The Chief, Nov. 4:
"Sea to Sky Community Services provides a list of all childcare providers registered or licensed in the area, but Kormandy said none of the businesses on the list could fulfill her needs."
This quote is from the article on the unlicensed daycare shutting down. Perhaps she should check her facts and call all the registered/licensed daycares before making that statement. I am not the only daycare she did not call. I am not the only daycare with space. And unless the parents actually call everyone on the list, they don't know with certainty whether or not a provider can be flexible or not.
Rules and regulations are there for a reason - to protect our children. It is not about making life more difficult or making problems bigger, it's about protection of children. If it is difficult to find care in a family/centre environment, perhaps a nanny/babysitter might be a more appropriate situation for some families. But don't say that no one can help, if you're not willing to call everyone.
Jane Smith
Happy Days Daycare
Appeal to PM over CN derailments
The following letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin was submitted to The Chief for publication.
Mr. Prime Minister, the following letter was sent to the Squamish, B.C. local newspaper "The Chief". The intention was to raise concerns about the magnitude of the CN Rail derailment on Aug. 5 in the Cheakamus Canyon. At that time, the CN were to conduct extensive studies on how to safely transport hazardous materials through the canyon.
No official report has been made available of the corrective action that CN was to put in place to prevent future derailments in the canyon.
A second derailment has happened (Oct. 24) in the Cheakamus Canyon. This is no longer an isolated case, but is now considered a trend. At the time of writing the CN trains are still transporting dangerous materials (sodium hydroxide) otherwise know as lye through the canyon.
I, and many others in this community, would like to see a halt to the practice of transporting hazardous materials through the Cheakamus Canyon. It is our suggestion that the hazardous material (sodium hydroxide) be shipped to Vancouver via the CN line along the Fraser River route.
Can this matter be addressed from your office? It appears that CN cannot guarantee safe passage through the Cheakamus Canyon.
Donald W. Christie
Squamish
Arts and culture vision for downtown waterfront
The following letter to the 撸奶社区Oceanfront Development Corporation was submitted to The Chief for publication.
The 撸奶社区Arts Council is an umbrella arts organization whose mission is to foster and promote Arts and Culture in the Sea To Sky area. It is dedicated to the development of 撸奶社区as a world-class destination centre where arts and culture are integrated throughout the entire community.
The arts community is particularly enthusiastic about the potential for incorporating arts and culture into the Oceanfront property and welcomes the opportunity to participate in reaching our mutual visions.
Arts and culture can play a critical role in helping 撸奶社区evolve as a world-class model for environmental and economic sustainability, beauty and livability. The 撸奶社区Arts Council envisions the future of our community grounded in a language of plan, form and content that is fitting and true to its geologies, peoples, histories, and industries; that honours and maintains the views and access to the resources that set the stage for our lives here, and that uniquely exhibits our Arts and Culture.
The 撸奶社区Arts council would like to see a commitment to arts and culture on the oceanfront. Strategically located arts and culture facilities and activities throughout the downtown / waterfront lands, as well as adequate outdoor park, performance, and community assembly spaces for the projected size of the future community are examples of the huge opportunities to develop "iconic experiences" as destination anchors, and will enable the enactment of our authentic and sustainable cultural events and ceremonies: real history, real story and real spirit played out by and for people who live here. In doing so, 撸奶社区will not fail to captivate the international community.
It is our hope that the Arts Council and the Oceanfront Development Corporation can work together to realize the shared vision of creating a viable development of which we can all be proud, and that contributes to the dynamic potential for 撸奶社区to be a leader in arts and culture. We would be pleased to meet with the Board or be involved in any way possible.Katherine Kerr
Chairperson, 撸奶社区Arts Council
