July 7, 1999
To:Policy and Finance Committee
From:Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services
Subject:Capital Funding Support for Playhouse Child Care Centre in Ward 11
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to seek approval to adjust the funding allocated to Playhouse Child Care Centre from the
Child Care Capital Reserve to reflect its actual relocation costs.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The Child Care Capital Reserve was originally established by the former Metropolitan Toronto Council in 1997 to assist
child care centres facing closure as a result of capital renovations to schools in which they were located. The fund was later
augmented and extended in July 1998 by Toronto Council to support child care programs being evicted from schools.
There are sufficient funds in the Child Care Capital Reserve to accommodate the additional relocation costs being
encountered by Playhouse Child Care Centre, originally approved for funding at the July 29, 30, 31, 1998 meeting of
Toronto Council.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)approval for up to $800,000 be allocated to Playhouse Child Care Centre from the Child Care Capital Reserve to
support the renovation associated with its move to Greenland School; and
- the appropriate officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Council Reference/Background/History:
The former Metropolitan Toronto Council established a Child Care Capital Reserve in 1997 to assist child care centres
facing closure as a result of capital renovations to the schools in which they were located. At is July 29, 30, 31, 1998
meeting, Toronto Council extended the criteria and guidelines governing the use of the Child Care Capital Reserve to assist
child care programs being evicted from schools and facing renovation costs in the sites to which they were being relocated.
Council specifically approved funds associated with the relocation of Pelmo Park Child Care Centre, Silverthorne Day
Care and Playhouse Child Care Centre. Initial plans for Playhouse Child Care were based on preliminary estimates to build
onto Greenland Public School and approval for $500,000 was given to Playhouse Child Care Centre for this purpose.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Playhouse Child Care Centre was expected to leave its location in September 1998. Because of uncertainty associated with
potential school closures the Toronto District School Board was unable to give final approval to the proposed move to
Greenland Public School until June 1999. A review of the options available to relocate Playhouse Child Care Centre has
indicated that Greenland Public School is the most viable location for both the Child Care Centre and the Toronto District
School Board.
The Toronto District School Board has costed the actual requirements to relocate Playhouse Child Care Centre by adding
onto Greenland School. The total costs of construction will require up to $800,000 in capital funding. This is $300,000
more than originally approved by Council. Playhouse Child Care Centre does not have funds to pay for the renovation
costs. Without capital funding support for the renovation the centre would be forced to close. This would have a serious
impact on the stock of licensed space available to support subsidized families and could also hinder the City's ability to
maintain the full level of subsidized service required under the service contract with the Province.
Playhouse Child Care Centre has successfully provided subsidized child service in Ward 11 for over 12 years. It provides
much needed care to 10 infants, 10 toddlers, 24 preschoolers and 10 kindergarten aged children. Thirty-five more children
(13 infants, 9 toddlers, 11 preschoolers and 2 kindergarten aged) are currently on the subsidy waiting list awaiting
placement in this centre. Without the capital support requested, this valued community resource will be lost and over 50
children will lose their current child care placement.
Conclusions:
The Department supports the centre's revised renovation plan and recommends that Council approve support for the
revised construction estimate of up to $800,000. There are adequate funds remaining within the Child Care Capital Reserve
to accommodate the increased construction costs associated with the relocation of Playhouse Child Care Centre to
Greenland Public School.
Contact Name:
Brenda Patterson
Director, Contract and Quality Compliance
Children's Services Division
Tel.:392-3319
patterso@csis.csis.csd.metrotor.on.ca
General Manager of Children's Services
Commissioner of Community & Neighbourhood Services
