City of Toronto
Recommendations:
1. City Council endorse the National Child Care Conference consensus document "Vision Child Care 2020" principles and system components necessary to build a national child care system in Canada as set out in Attachment 1 to this Motion.
Summary:
On November 13-15, 2014, over 500 early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals, parents, politicians, academics, and advocates from across Canada gathered in Winnipeg for The 4th National Child Care Policy Conference: Child Care 2020. The three-day conference focused on recent research, funding challenges, program models, advocacy, and international and Canadian comparators.
Throughout the conference international and Canadian experts confirmed that a range of high-quality, accessible ECEC services for families are critical to support healthy child development, promote woman's equality, reduce income inequality, and reinforce economic and labour force development strategies. Toronto Children's Services staff presented their important work on quality measures and compliance. Former Members of Parliaments Ken Dryden and Olivia Chow as well as representatives of all federal parties, the Premiers of Manitoba and Ontario, and the Mayor of Winnipeg all participated.
At the conclusion of the many break-out workshops and plenary sessions, participants discussed and adopted unanimously a vision for child care based on a set of principles and system components. They also committed to actively pursue this vision through their organizations and in their communities. The principles and vision are consistent with previously-approved City of Toronto policy and goals, and are attached for information.
We are therefore requesting that Toronto City Council continue its leadership role, contribute to the momentum building across the country, and endorse the consensus document achieved at the National Child Care Conference.
- Watch the ChildCare2020 video in English and French