Orillia Central Preschool was under threat of closure because the Orillia City Council had decided they wanted their leased space for something else and gave them notice for June 30th.

The Canadian Federation of University Women/Orillia, under [Wendy Taylor's] direction wrote a compelling letter to the Mayor and Council.  » Continue reading “An Orillia Central Preschool avoided closure thanks to the community!”

“Investments in child care stimulate the economy by creating jobs and increasing GDP output (Centre for Spatial Economics, 2010).”

“Providing high quality, accessible child care helps keep families out of poverty.”

OECTA’s Pre-Budget Submission:

“High quality public child care helps put children from diverse socioeconomic, multicultural and multilingual backgrounds on an equal footing.” » Continue reading “OECTA’s Pre Budget Submission Statement on Child Care”

CUPE Ontario’s Pre-Budget Submission Statement on Child Care:

“Every $1 milion invested in high quality child care creates 40 jobs and brings a $2.42 million return in short- and long-term benefits to Ontario—including educational benefits as well as increased earnings and reduced social costs.” » Continue reading “CUPE Ontario’s Pre-Budget Submission on Child Care!”

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario:

“Access to high-quality, licensed child care is essential for parents who are working, studying, participating in job-retraining programs, or simply seeking enriched child development experiences for their young children. Access to child care is more important than ever given the connection between workforce participation and economic recovery.”
» Continue reading “The ETFO Budget Submission Wants Accessible Child Care”

“According to new research from the Child Care Human Resources Sector Council, Ontario child care fees are the highest in Canada.”

On Friday March 22nd, the OCBCC presented to the Standing Committee on Finance. » Continue reading “OCBCC Ontario Pre-Budget Submission Presented to the Standing Committee on Finance”

On July 26th, a new CUPE research paper tracks the growth of for-profit child care in Canada, documenting the aggressive expansion strategy of several corporations. Continue reading “CUPE backgrounder exposes dangers of for-profit child care”.

Le Guide de la gestion des services de garde à l’enfance  (Child Care Management Guide Ver. 3 ) est à la traduction et sera disponible vers la fin du mois de juin. » Continue reading “Le Guide de la gestion des services de garde à l’enfance: Bientôt disponible en français!”

Notes from the Early Learning and Child Care Briefings at Queen’s Park- March 10, 2010

Please Click here to download

Solutions to make full-day learning for 0-12 a real success..
1. Stabilize the “house of cards”- replace the $63.5 million
2. Revise 80% provincial base funding to municipalities based on actual costs with indexation
3. Provide adequate transitional funding to ensure full day early learning program works

“Perfect storm” – precarious funding situation is now brewing..
The four components of the child care funding crisis:
1. Child care base funding not adequate: Growing and compounding problem as funding to municipalities has not been adjusted for inflation in 15 years.
2. Cuts to early learning and child care if $63.5 million is removed from the child care budget. Funding was one-time money from the National Child Care Program which Ontario split over four years and added to the core child care funding budget.
3. “Unconditional grants” ending: Funding from the first year of the National Child Care Program which, delivered late in the year, was transferred to municipalities. Some have used this money to cover gaps in funding – however, funds running out for many municipalities this year, for others next year.
4. General financial pressures impacting on municipal contributions: Many municipalities have additional unmatched spending on early learning and child care.

Full-day early learning, layered on top of an unstable base, will add to the chaos and instability.

Women Moving Forward (WMF) is an innovative program that works to break the cycle of poverty. Since its launch in 2005, we have worked with 106 young mothers who are Ontario Works clients. Through working with the women to develop clear and realistic career plans, WMF supports them in their journey from welfare dependency to financial self-sufficiency.

They send a letter to Premier McGuinty, all provincial MPPs, Prime Misinter, local MPs, the Mayor and our local politicians about the current child care issues and impacts.

To view the letter, please click here

The report is an excellent summary of the financial impacts if the Province fails to maintain the existing level of funding for early learning and child care programs as well as the City’s comments on the Early Learning Program – including school selection and it’s impact on child care centres, the issue of the program being offered for regular school days only, subsidies, wage rates for ECE’s and City preparation for the program.

The main report is 11 pages, well worth a read, including recommendations on pages 1-3. It’s an excellent summary document of the issues in the early learning and child care sector.

Please click here to view the report in pdf. format