Daycare centre in Sandy Hill closing due to safety concerns

A Sandy Hill daycare centre is closing its doors, with officials citing safety reasons.

Sandy Hill daycare representatives attribute the closure to rising concerns of homelessness, drug use and violence in the surrounding area.

The daycare centre has been operating out of the basement of St. Paul’s Eastern United Church on Cumberland Street, serving as an emergency substitute,

Stephanie Plante, city councillor for Rideau-Vanier, told The Sam Laprade Show on Sept. 1, the child care centre was originally located on Wilbrod Street, but was damaged by fire this past December.

“The new spot was in the basement of a beautiful church on the corner of Daly and Cumberland, which you know is near the mission,” said Plante. “Pam (the daycare’s director) said things started to unravel as the weather got warmer, the toxic drug supply was here in full force.”

The child care centre’s stroller location was broken into several times, a person entered the building and attempted to consume food, and there was aggression towards childcare workers while out on walks with the children, added Plante. The centre’s director, Pam Benoit, responded to these safety concerns by hiring security guards.

While these challenges have taken a toll on staff, Benoit decided to shutdown the child care centre for the next two months, A new location is set to open in November, explained Plante.

“I was at the going away party yesterday, the kids were all sad,” she expressed. “It was quite a scene because people get really attached to their childcare workers.”

One thing we should agree on, as a city, is prioritizing children and in this case, the presence of Fentanyl was just too overwhelming even for highly experienced caregivers, said Plante.

According to the councillor, Benoit timed the centre’s closure with the beginning of the school year. There were around 15 children that were ‘graduating’ into junior kindergarten, and they were able to ensure all children had a spot in schools.

“If we think about the Opioid, housing and homelessness crisis, we have to move on solutions and stop just managing the crisis because only managing is affecting our neighbourhoods, childcare centres and businesses,” she added.

In response to the daycare’s closure, Peter Tilley, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Ottawa Mission, told CityNews Ottawa it’s disappointing to see a daycare close it’s doors, especially during a time when we need more daycares in the Sandy Hill area, and across the city.

“Many people who see the homeless population on the street, they’re sometimes in fear or there’s an apprehension,” said Tilley.

But he reminded residents, the unhoused are a vulnerable and marginalized population who are often in fear of others and for their own protection, while living on the streets.

“We don’t often see them as a threat to others – they’re often in their own world, whether with mental health or addictions, they’re a vulnerable group that often feel threatened by others.”

He goes on to say; however, the Ottawa Mission does understand the daycare centre’s fears and feelings of an unsafe environment.

Regarding the incident when an unwelcomed visitor entered the centre, Tilley said it has not been confirmed whether this was a homeless individual.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) reported an average of 99 emergency room visits per month related to overdoses, so far this year.

Over the same period in 2022, the city saw an average of 71 emergency room visits per month for overdoses – marking an increase of 39 per cent in the first six months of 2023.

Plante said without real solutions, we’re going to be seeing more overdoses, shelters and temporary measures that will allow this same cycle to continue – and our downtown residents will face the consequences.

A potential solution to this rise in homelessness could be the use of empty buildings for transitional and affordable housing, she added. They could repurpose buildings, which would serve as safe spaces for the vulnerable,

“Architects can do conversions and prioritize windows and more,” she said. “I’m wondering why we’re not focusing on it because we have those buildings,”

Plante told CityNews on August 30, rather than beautifying our city, Ottawa should be focused on building more housing and weening off emergency shelters.

Part of finding a solution includes decentralizing social services and welcoming smaller shelters with programs to help those most vulnerable, across the city, she pointed out. But most residents are not in favour of shelters and other services present in their neighbourhoods.

According to Plante.70 per cent of opioid overdoses are in single family homes, in private dwellings outside of the downtown core. These cases make up the majority of what ambulances are responding to, she added.

“Opioids are happening everywhere and people who want help have to come downtown, which doesn’t make sense because we’re pulling them away from their families, supports, and taking them into the vortex,” said Plante.

Every ward across the city should have access to services residents need, including food banks, parks, recreational centres, supportive housing, addiction services, and more, she explained. It’s the city’s responsibility to ensure these needs are met, no matter where residents live.

“We are saying to the King Edward and Rideau corridor – you are the catch-all for everything and everyone – and we know that there can’t be a one-size fits all solution,” added Plante.