Petition calls for action on lack of childcare options in Sunderland

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

BROCK: Council recently received a petition from, Sunderland resident, Alison Hart, calling attention to the lack of childcare options in the community and urging action on a long-delayed childcare centre planned for the village.

“To whom it may concern, I am reaching out to ask for the concerns, over the lack of childcare options in Sunderland, specifically related to the building of the new childcare centre attached to the school, [which] has not been built and is currently either cancelled or on hold, to be added to the next agenda, as I seek council endorsement and support on this,” Ms. Hart wrote in her submission, noting her petition has already gathered more than 100 signatures.

Ms. Hart also raised concerns about “different, conflicting and confusing” information, surrounding the status of the proposed facility, which she hopes to clarify through discussions at an upcoming council meeting.

The petition was included in the agenda, at a recent meeting, where Ward 4 Councillor Lynn Campbell voiced her support for increased childcare services in Sunderland.

“We can’t say it loud enough or often enough, we really need childcare in Sunderland,” Ms. Campbell said. “It feels like we were not prioritized, and [I] hope we will be in the future.”

Councillor Campbell added, she has heard from several local families, who have had to send their children to schools outside of Sunderland because of the shortage of before-and after-school care.

“I’m hearing from parents who simply don’t have a choice locally, and that’s not fair to families who want their children to be part of the community,” she said.

The petition remains available online, at chng.it/mGdhQjJP8n.