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Families with young children must often make a difficult choice between spending a significant portion of their income on childcare, finding a cheaper but potentially lower-quality care option, or leaving the workforce altogether to become full-time caregivers. High cost and limited availability are some challenges that systematically drive parents out of the workforce.
And it’s not a secret that challenges to finding good childcare have become a barrier to work, especially for mothers in most cases, who disproportionately take on unpaid caregiving responsibilities when their family cannot find or afford child care.
In the heart of Cambridge in Ontario, a non-profit organization is changing what childcare looks like. Cambridge is an underserved area with not nearly enough licensed childcare spaces to meet demand, and Tender Loving Daycare (TLD) currently provides licensed childcare for 45 children in the city.
From its inception, TLD aimed to be more than just a childcare facility — it strived to be an inclusive space where families and friends could come together comfortably. “There was a dire need for quality and inclusive childcare. A lot of childcare facilities have a two-year waitlist. We couldn’t find childcare that was inclusive and had good education support systems that were budget-friendly,” Kayla Wright, Board Chair of TLD, expressed. “The struggle wasn’t merely finding a place for children. It was about empowering parents, especially primary caregivers, to pursue their careers without sacrificing the well-being of their children. How do women or the primary caregiver parent go back to work? We are changing that with our non-profit organization.”
The organization acknowledged the need for a unified and experienced board to elevate its functions and fulfill its vision. The answer came in the form of Capacity Canada’s Board Governance BootCamp – an intensive learning experience that provided insights into fundraising, taxation, and operational excellence. “We had the skills, the vision, and many great ideas but did not have a unified board. The BootCamp had everything we needed,” Kayla recounted.
Armed with newfound knowledge and strategies, TLD is enthusiastic about implementing what they have learned. “Our board needed more experience to function at our best. How do you fundraise? How do you hit those numbers? How do we bring our expertise together for a stronger board? That’s where the BootCamp came in. And we have benefitted from the two days so much,” Kayla added. TLD’s board is certain that the learnings from the BootCamp will play a pivotal role in fortifying TLD’s infrastructure and operations.
Tender Loving Daycare isn’t just a childcare facility — it’s a testament to resilience, community support, and a commitment to shaping a brighter future for children and families in Cambridge. As TLD continues to evolve and implement new learnings from the BootCamp, we can’t wait to see all that the organization will accomplish.
Would like to know more about TLD, give them a call at 519-740-2442 and the staff would be happy to give you a tour of the facility and answer any questions you may have.
Capacity Canada’s Board Governance BootCamp increases your governance abilities by sharing strategies and tools for innovative ways of working that teams can incorporate right away. Overall, you become better equipped to lead positive change across your organizations and communities.
To learn more about Capacity Canada’s Board Governance BootCamp, please visit our website.
