Recent parking regulations introduced in Ontario after an SUV collided with a daycare, resulting in one death and nine injuries, are leading to confusion and creating challenges for some parents trying to reach the centers.
Last week, an SUV crashed into a childcare center in Richmond Hill, tragically killing a 1½-year-old boy while injuring six children and three adults. The driver, a man in his seventies, has been arrested and charged.
On Monday, Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra instructed all licensed daycare providers to immediately eliminate parking spots next to daycare entrances, playgrounds, windows, and classroom walls until further safety measures are put into place.
The new parking rules have caused confusion at various daycare centers regarding which parking spaces need to be closed off.
One daycare located in Wingham, a community in southwestern Ontario’s Huron County, shut down its entire parking lot this week. Dani Mc Kague, who has two kids, shared that her husband has cerebral palsy and drives their children to the facility every morning.
“You had to park across the street, walk the children across and take them through the parking lot into the centre, which was an issue,” Dani said.
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Dani Mc Kague’s husband has cerebral palsy. She says it was a challenge when her children’s daycare centre closed off the parking lot, forcing parents to park further away. (Submitted by Dani Mc Kague)
After raising her concerns with the daycare staff, she was informed it was a directive from the ministry and that they couldn’t do much about it. She then reached out to her member of provincial parliament (MPP) and had further discussions with the center’s operators which resulted in more spots being reopened in the parking area.
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Angela Woodburn, executive director of London Bridge Child Care Services, says parking at some of its locations has been severely limited due to the new Ontario rules. (Submitted by Angela Woodburn)
One operator named London Bridge manages 15 daycares across London, Sarnia and nearby areas. They have set up temporary barriers at some locations.
According to executive director Angela Woodburn, these changes have significantly restricted parking at several sites but local businesses have been supportive by offering additional spaces for parents.
“We’re working closely with municipalities and landlords just to assess each situation carefully,” Woodburn said. “Our focus remains on making thoughtful decisions that support everyone’s well-being within our child-care environment.” Woodburn is hopeful that the ministry will clarify long-term requirements soon. The has reached out for clarification but did not receive a response before publication time. Meanwhile, Mc Kague feels that while these new regulations aim for safety, they overlook considerations for individuals with disabilities and add stress for parents. She believesthatthe ministry should have assessed specific safety needs for each center instead of implementing broad rules. “It’s just hard if you have two little kids and have to carry one… little kids are excited when the day is over, and there are just 1,I000 things that can happen — you don’t want them near busier areas filled with cars.”
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Daycares To Coordinate With Municipalities And Landlords
Calandra directed daycare operators to temporarily close off certain spaces using pylons or signs while they work on permanent barriers. “Where you do not control the parking spaces adjacent to your facility, you are to connect with your landlord immediately and discuss measures that can be put in place to better protect children at your centre,” stated their letter. It remains unclear who will be responsible for funding permanent barricades.“We’re working closely with municipalities and landlords just to assess each situation carefully,” Woodburn said. “Our focus remains on making thoughtful decisions that support everyone’s well-being within our child-care environment.” Woodburn is hopeful that the ministry will clarify long-term requirements soon. The has reached out for clarification but did not receive a response before publication time. Meanwhile, Mc Kague feels that while these new regulations aim for safety, they overlook considerations for individuals with disabilities and add stress for parents. She believesthatthe ministry should have assessed specific safety needs for each center instead of implementing broad rules. “It’s just hard if you have two little kids and have to carry one… little kids are excited when the day is over, and there are just 1,I000 things that can happen — you don’t want them near busier areas filled with cars.”
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