Response to Minister's Mandate to Assess Parking Safety Concerns - Upper Canada Child Care Skip To Content

Response to Minister’s Mandate to Assess Parking Safety Concerns

We continue to hold the entire community of First Roots Early Education Academy in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Upper Canada Child Care shares the Ministry of Educations commitment to safety. In response to Minister Paul Calandra’s directive, we promptly asked all centre supervisors to review the memorandum and begin implementing the recommended measures.

Each centre has been asked to assess its parking and outdoor areas and take steps to block off any parking spaces adjacent to entryways, playgrounds, windows, or classroom walls during operating hours. Temporary barriers such as pylons, signage, and staff vehicles are being used where appropriate, with accessible parking spaces remaining available as required.

We’re also working closely with school boards and landlords to explore longer-term solutions, including the installation of permanent barriers where needed. While implementation and timelines may vary depending on site-specific factors, families can expect to see visible changes at many locations as any appropriate, additional safety measures are put into place.

UCCC continues to support walk-to-school initiatives that minimize traffic in school zones, and we issue reminders about back-to-school safety via our newsletter and social media accounts. We are also grateful for the creation of community safety zones that help regulate local traffic speed and improve driver awareness around school neighbourhoods where most of our programs are collocated.

Safety in and around schools is the responsibility of every driver entering parking lots and drop-off areas. All visitors are asked to remain alert and cautious to help protect children, families, and staff.

We appreciate the Ministry’s leadership and remain committed to providing safe, welcoming environments for all children in our care.

 

Our clients have rated UCCC 4.5/5 on our 2024-2025 Family Satisfaction Survey.

Our child care programs, summer camp, and forest school are child-centered and inquiry based.