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structured time, like circle time. nap time, playtime and craft time. but we also want the children to enjoy a free atmosphere,n Marg said. In the future, the board hopes to organize some other types of child care services such as a toy lending library and a care giver registry. “Our lifestyles have changed so much. Saying that mothers should be home with their children is no longer alistic," said Marg. We hope we are elping families of the 1980's with our child care centre. she added. Marg is willing to talk to anyone 'riterested in rural child care issues. on can reach her at 519 678-3238. i ORIHUMBERLAND COUNTY The child care scenario in i orthumberland offers a different icture. Arlene Doriand. a Codrington ‘ 1 member. is chairman of the board hich offers child care services to the hole county, except Cobourg. The ervice is just completing its second ull year as a pilot project. But, the dea began in 1985. "Pat Morgan and I ran a program i inâ€"home care only, back in the ummer of 198.5? Arlene explained. ter that fall, the Ontario Federation f Agriculture and the Ontario inistry of Community and Social ervices decided to launch four rural hild care pilot projects across the rovince. Arlene believes because of i eir eitperience earlier that summer. it because of the high number of farm wives working off the farm in Northumberland, her county was selected as one of the pilot projects. (Temiskaming, Dufferin and Lambton were the other three.) Once Northul‘nberland had been selected. a board had to be setâ€"up. Pat and Arlene approached the women who used the 1985 child care service. At that time, incorporated also took place and a coâ€"ordinator was hired. “The Ministry of Community and Social Services staff helped us to meet the requirements for their funding." Arlene said. “Actually, we were running quite quickly. We had a meeting in February (1986) and were operating in April,’ ’ Arlene added. Because Northumberland's is a pilot project, the service does not have to obey all the rules set down by MCSS. although Arlene said, “We were strongly encouraged to follow the rules." Each pilot project is different, and it is the flexibility towards the rules that helps to meet the various needs in each location. During its first year of operation. the project continued to receive f und- ing from the federal government for its in-home care. During its second year. all funding came from MCSS. The Northumberland project offers a variety of services to its clients. The in-home care begins in May and runs until the end of August. Trained high school students come into a home to care for the children. Large blocks of time cannot be booked by parents â€"â€"Services meet local needs wishing in-hotnc can: and the wcri it: is on a first-come, first-serxed basis. Fees are based on the number ()l children being cared for. Supervised play days, rotating from four different locations in the county, are also offered. Children aged [no it) five arrive at IO am. and stay until 4 p.m.. bringing their own lunch. Parents pay $6 per day for this sen lLC and there are anywhere from file in 25 children at each play day. “We have tried to set up private home care, but we can't find enough people to take children into [hL‘ll homes. There isn‘t enough money in child care,” Arlene said. So far. a child care centre has not been offered either. “i think there's a real reluctance for people to put their children in an institution. but we are finally getting more feedback. 1 think we will prob- ably be determining the need for a fullâ€"time day care facility in Brighton soon," Arlene explained. The project now has an office in Brighton. “it has taken a long time for our credibility to come. but i think we are on the way now." Arlene said. The pilot project has two more years to go. Arlene. a mother of three and a dairy farmer. feels there are benefits to offering one child care program across the county. “We avoid duplication of effort. and if there is a variety of services. we can meet everyone’s needs." she explained. H & C April, May 1988 15