A 32-year-old city bylaw is preventing a Hamilton daycare owner from offering parents much needed expanded care

A home daycare owner on the Hamilton mountain says a 32-year-old city bylaw is preventing her from offering parents much-needed expanded care.

Since the daycare is within 180 metres of other childcare centres, the owner is facing red tape when it comes to providing before and after school programs.

The daycare is currently licensed by an agency overseen by the province. But in order to add 10 before and after school spots it needs to be registered directly with the Ministry of Education. However the city’s zoning bylaw prevents that.

City councillor John Paul Danko says there is a need in Hamilton for more childcare spots, and a decades-old bylaw doesn’t reflect the current situation.

“I’m already working with staff to have this provision removed from the bylaw,” Danko said.

Danko says it could take time, but he will be bringing the issue to council, with the hopes of changing the rules. Danko says with the federal $10 a day daycare on the way, more childcare centres want to be licensed to be able to offer the deal.