A state-of-the-art childcare facility local MLA Joan McIntyre proudly helped unveil in downtown Squamish last fall is now sitting at less than two thirds its capacity due to an ongoing struggle with staffing. The Sea to Sky Early Learning and Child Development Centre can care for only four infants in what should be an eight-person program. Likewise, the toddler program designed to take 12 children can currently only accommodate eight.With about 20 families on the centre's waiting list, more people are waiting to get through the doors than accessing the services inside."We're really worried," said one of the centre's managers, Suzie Soman. She said she often finds herself looking after children when her position should keep her at her desk.Soman said the problem stems from poor wages. With some staff members starting at $12 an hour, qualified childcare workers could find themselves in a highly demanding position with a paycheck similar to those offered in fast food restaurants.The centre would need three more full-time staff members and one more part-time employee to fill up its classrooms.With full-time infant toddler care in the centre costing $1,050 per month, Soman said she is leery of raising enrollment costs. "Sure we could raise our fees, but then who are we serving?" she asked. "We don't want to price ourselves out of the market. We're a non-profit society."Platypus Playcentre, a private childcare centre opening across from Mamquam Elementary this spring, has been able to overcome the staffing shortage by offering staff higher pay and more focused duties.Local residents Louise Schell and Stacey Tucker have already hired the seven people needed to run the 4,500 square foot centre.They say they are driven by their own experiences with the highs and lows of childcare. Before becoming parents, Schell was a primary teacher in New Zealand and England while Tucker operated a childcare centre in Australia. This time down under not only inspired the centre's name but also shaped their approach to staffing, exposing them to many of the daycare pitfalls found here in Canada. "Often caregivers in other daycares can't solely be with the children," said Tucker. "They answer telephones and write receipts for cheques that are taken."Schell said some even find themselves thrust into the role of cleaner and gardener.At Platypus Centre, staff have been hired for specific duties, so those caring for children will not find themselves knee deep in paperwork or cleaning products.Schell said she plans to take on the business side of the daycare in a dedicated administration wing upstairs, while Tucker will work with the children and oversee programming.So far, this approach, coupled with higher pay, has taken the strain off staffing. Tucker said they have been lucky to find a qualified group of "amazing inspiring people" to care for the tots."We've found that they love the idea of just being with the children," she said. Like Sea to Sky's centre, Platypus Playcentre already has a waiting list, even though its doors don't open until May.
