Election 2007: Addressing the Crisis in Early Learning & Child Care

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The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care held a press conference today challenging all parties to strengthen the Early Learning and Child Care systems in Ontario.

The press conference included Anne Farrell, from the First Stage Child Care Centre. In March, her centre had 5 toddler vacancies and laid off a staffperson. It's not that the need wasn't there. The centre has a waiting list and the City of Toronto has almost 12,000 children on a waiting list. The problem was there were no more subsidies and local parents in a high needs area can't afford the $10,000 a year for child care.

Also participating was Janet Davis, Toronto City Councillor, who spoke of the needs of cities to predict stable, on-going funding.

To read the release, click here.

At the same time, Ottawa area child care advocates had a press conference on the crisis in child care in Ottawa. To read the release, click here.

Yesterday, an Open Letter was released which calls on the Liberal and NDP parties to keep their pledge for full-day pre-school, or kindergarten. Signatories included the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care. Full day care for 4 and 5 year old is a large and significant commitment to improving access and availability for children in that age group.

To read the open letter, click here.


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