P.E.I. daycares decide future

Close to a quarter of P.E.I.'s childcare centres plan to stay private and opt out of the province's new daycare plan.

All 95 daycares on the Island had to submit government forms last week, indicating what they plan to do: 17 decided to get out of the business, 23 will remain private, and 55 will go with the government's plan, which means following stricter regulations.

"Maybe they (government) rushed in a little bit too quick and we need more time to think about things," said Lynn Hogan, president of the Early Learning Operators of P.E.I.

Hogan has decided her daycare, Campus Kids in Charlottetown, will stay private. She's surprised, however, by the number of operators planning to do the same. Hogan is also concerned so many people are getting out of the business.

Linda Lowther, with the provincial Department of Early Childhood Development, said she's not surprised by the results.

"The numbers look pretty close to what we were expecting just on raw, cold numbers. What we're going to have to do over the next two weeks, roughly, is go through each application."

Lowther said the department will meet with centres that want to come under government; those that meet standards will receive contracts.

Lowther said she's confident at least 20 will be ready to go by the fall.

Meanwhile, Hogan said she's pleased with the number of people who opted out of the government's plan.

She said it gives her hope private daycares will not eventually be shut down.