BONAVISTA, N.L. — Limitations have been enforced on Flying Start Learning Lessons in Bonavista after the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development made a decision to classify it as a child care business.
In an article with The Packet on Sept. 18, the business was referred to as “child care,” however, that designation was made in error. Flying Start owner operator Vanessa Short told The Packet her business is a lesson-built program out of her home for 30 children, six classes of five kids each.
She said the designation should be no different than a music or dance lesson teacher.
However, in a statement issued to The Packet, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development stated, “’Child care service,’ is defined in the Child Care Act as ‘an activity or other arrangement that provides temporary care or supervision of a child,’ and Flying Start fits that definition.”
Now, in order to continue to operate Flying Start, Short must reduce the number of children to four or fewer in total, or reduce the number of hours the service is in operation to less than 10 hours per week.
“A licence is required outside these parameters,” said the department in an emailed statement.
Short calls it completely unrealistic for her learning lessons.
She said her business is not child care and, in many cases, babysitters are the ones dropping off children to her lessons.
She was trying to provide something different for children in the community in lieu of actual childcare services.
“Because I supervise children for so many hours a week, they’re trying to pin me under this branch of government,” said Short.
She adds the only feasible concession is to reduce her numbers to four children per lesson — down from the current five. That would reduce her total from 30 children to 24 over the six separate groups.
If licensed, Short said some of the specifications are impractical — like providing menus for food and meeting an outdoor activity minimum. Her program doesn’t provide meals for the children and its structure would not allow her to meet the required outdoor time.
Short said she’s frustrated because all she tried to do was provide a learning atmosphere for children, and now she's unable to do it.
“I feel like I’m doing all this for nothing…I’m not doing anything wrong here. I’m just trying to do something for the kids of the community which was my heart and my goal when I came home (to Bonavista).”
The department said in its email to The Packet it is working with Short regarding options for the operation of her business.
Meanwhile, Short has contacted her MHA, Craig Pardy, and the local chamber of commerce for assistance.
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