Huron County council plans on advocating for more supports for before and after school programming from higher levels of government.
At Wednesday's meeting, council received an update on last week's announcement that a child care option was leaving Exeter and Hensall schools.
London Bridge Child Care is ending its Before and After school care programs at Exeter Elementary School and Bluewater Coast Elementary School, a closure that impacts over 200 child care spaces.
Cheryl Patience, Manager of Children's Services, told council that the County is assisting school boards in the search for new childcare providers, but noted that it was a challenging role to fill.
"Before and after is very difficult because there's a break in the day, so it takes a very special person that would want to work in the morning, then not work in the mid-day, then work in the evening," she told council. "So unless they're able to be put in a child care program that's operating nearby or manage the day that way, it becomes difficult finding someone who wants to work that type of a shift."
During discussions, South Huron Mayor George Finch said the County should seek a delegation at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) on the matter.
He said the current wording of the regulations only requires care "where there is sufficient demand and/or viability."
"We as a council should pursue a recommendation to make before and after a care a part of the core services of the school board, to solidify responsibility at the Ministry of Education level, who has jurisdiction and the funding," he said. "Currently, it appears to be more piecemeal around the province and a clear indication to download it to municipalities, which is not reality."
County council directed staff to bring back a report on its advocacy options. The County will also work with the Avon Maitland District School Board and the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board to secure a new child care provider for the impacted schools.