“Women and children will suffer most”: Durham District School Board to shutter beloved childminding program for newcomers to Canada
DURHAM REGION, ON –(COMMUNITYWIRE)– A beloved childminding program for newcomers to Canada will be closing its doors and laying off nine childminding professionals in the Durham region.
The Care for Newcomer Children (CNC) offers free on-site childminding services for newcomer parents attending English language classes. The CNC has provided free childminding services for over 25 years for those who are enrolled in the Durham Continuing Education English instruction classes.
“The women and children will suffer the most,” says Carrie Boisvert, president of CUPE 218, which represents over 3,000 education workers in Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic District School Board. “Many of the women who access these services will not be able to continue taking English language classes without being able to access the CNC program. And the children will not have access to this incredible learning environment before they reach the mainstream public school system.”
Durham Continuing Education, which is a part of the Durham District School Board, is closing the CNC Pickering location in June 2025. The only other CNC location will be in Oshawa, up to a 45-minute drive away for students previously using the Pickering location services. The Oshawa program is scheduled to close in June 2026.
The CNC program is offered to eligible adult learners who have access to the Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) program, a free language program funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The IRCC announced funding cuts to LINC programs across Canada in December.
Kristine Brown has worked for the CNC program for over 25 years. She was told that she will be laid off, along with 8 other CNC staff, in June 2026.
“Our childminding services support newcomer families with young children to adapt and settle in Canada,” Brown says. “Many newcomers to Canada can’t access the language classes without having affordable childcare. Most of our families can’t afford space in a traditional daycare center, so these programs are essential for families and their children.”
Brown and her colleagues provide a strict routine of play-based, educational activities for the children, including sensory language and literacy education.
“Without our CNC programs, the children we support will not be provided with the essential skills for success,” Brown says. “CNC staff play a critical role in preparing children for kindergarten by helping them develop important social, emotional and learning skills.”
Stephanie Dezsi, vice president of CUPE 218, says proposed cuts to child minding programs appear to contradict Durham District School Board’s commitment to equitable opportunities for all of its’ students. “By eliminating these essential services, we are effectively excluding a segment of our community that could greatly benefit from educational advancement. It is imperative that we recognize the importance of creating an inclusive environment that fosters learning and growth for everyone.”
CUPE 218 is calling on the Durham District School Board to reverse its decision to close the two CNC sites immediately.
“I’m devastated,” says Brown. “I am devastated for the workers that I work with, I’m devastated for the families that I support, and I’m devastated for what this is going to do to the children. The children are not going to be provided with the opportunities that they have now, and their learning is going to suffer. It’s shameful on the Durham District School Board to allow this to happen.”
-30-
For more information, contact:
Shannon Carranco, CUPE Communications
scarranco@cupe.ca
514-703-8358