This road map should have equal focus on Home child care providers that are not licensed with an agency. This would open more spaces for parents. Limiting funding to homechild care agencies who have a limited hiring capacity creates an imbalance of not enough providers to parents. To address this impala ce and crisis, We need to include non licensed home child care providers to be able to access this funding for the families and children in their care too.

I think that this a great idea to help families with a low income be able to afford high quality childcare.

I think that it is a great idea.

We had a Childcare Supervisor Network virtual meeting yesterday with our City of Windsor Municipal Manager. We were all informed that the RECE wages would start at $16.00/hr base rate plus the $2.00 Wage Enhancement Grant which equals a starting wage for RECE’s of $18.00/hr with an increase of $1.00 for 5 years. Most of us make much more than that especially with our many years of seniority. What happened to the $25/hr promise? And the 2.00/hr is old money being used? So with this disappointing news how are we supposed to attract let alone retain any staff?!!!

Where is the advocacy for all of us RECE’s now who will be making less, less than promised or will not receive a wage increase in over 5 years?

Please let us know that your organization will be bringing this back to the table for discussion and clarity, and that this is not acceptable!

While the Early Childhood Education profession and system have long been overlooked and undervalued in Ontario, many parents have found alternatives to institutional care, and should also be included in Child Care funding plans for Ontario. Please include space for parents TO CHOOSE what kind of childcare they prefer, whether it be institutional or home and family-based. I have not seen that any where in any documentation as a point to consider. Family units are diverse and there is no one universal system that would meet all needs unless it takes into account the decades of research regarding direct and consistent family involvement in children’s care and education. Cherubini has done some good work illustrating the benefits of preparing educators for diverse classrooms and intergenerational invovlement, suggesting that Indigenous methods and programs designed around family involvement have proven beneficial to a wider variety of learning styles than traditional models. The financial needs of parents who choose to have family members look after their children should be considered also. Support should not only be limited to institutional styles of child care only, but include a variety of delivery methods. Traditonally styled Institutional care does NOT benefit all children equally, BUT a more comprehensive system that includes culturally and contextually appropriate settings and knowledge has been proven to engage learners more deeply, and is more likely to produce successful, lifelong learners.

I think that it is a great idea. We have wanted this since the early 90’s. I remember marching down to Queens Park with my coworkers back when we all worked at Tumpane Child Care Centre! I hope Ontario signs on for the $10/day .

Currently I am paying 1,200/month for my child to attend preschool!

I wish all these wonderful initiatives and visions of Universal Child Care for Canada a success. Although childcare in Canada has improved in many ways, there are still many families who do not receive adequate childcare due to the high cost of childcare. Childcare services are just as important as other primary education services. The government has promised to make it available for as little as $10 a day, but some families find it difficult to pay $10 a day. A long-term plan will also be needed to ensure that high-quality childcare services are available to anyone free of charge. As a student studying Early Childhood Education, I am delighted to be a member of this organization that thinks and researches for a better work environment for ECEs and quality care for all children.

I have no problem with most of what is proposed. But, a commercial operation is equally as high quality care, regulated by the same ministries and costs the taxpayer far less money to run and sustain. So, I do have a problem with the “only public and non-profit” being quality care because that is absolutely not the case! Commercial should not be “curtailed” to expand but welcomed. Commercial operations are far more flexible in giving families choices that answer a variety of care needs. As as the majority of commercial operations are run or owned by women, they have a right to run and open a childcare operation and not be excluded from government funding. Thanks

As a Mom and also an RECE i’m so excited that things are looking up for childcare. I’m unfortunately just above subsidy, so I’m left paying over $1000 a month in daycare fees, living on my Educators wage. There needs to be more help for working middle class families.

I was thrilled to get the email from the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care about Child Care Now. I am a 77 year old grandmother of 4 children ages 5 to 16. When I was working in northwest Toronto I was an advocate for Middle Childhood Matters, especially for Out of School Time activities for children and youth. I hope the time is right for Canadians to build a system that truly supports families and children. I think your focus on high quality programs at a truly affordable cost with a liveable wage for child care workers is the right way to move forward. Ideally there will come a day when public school and public childcare will truly be combined in a seamless way. Every community should have a school combined with a child and youth centre at its centre. This would also help to build strong communities.

Unless wages for childcare workers are increased this is a half baked plan

I think that Universal Child Care for Canada is an exciting prospect. It is my understanding that part of the reason for this plan is to ensure women have a place in the workforce. What will happen to the thousands of women across the country who currently run licensed and unlicensed Home Daycares? Will they lose their jobs or will they be included in the governments $10.00 per day subsidy program if they are/become licensed? Home Daycares have received a bad reputation due to a few horrible instances, run by incompetent individuals. But many many children and families have had wonderful experiences in Home Daycares. It is also important to remember that neglect, abuse and injury have also occurred in large licensed facilities. The plan to provide children with safe, quality care is important, but why not include the quality licensed home daycares and allow these women to keep their jobs? When will they be discussed in this plan?

A major piece I believe would make a large difference is the government supporting the rent for the not for profits. As a not for profit child care centre, i can attest to the financial support that having no rent gives the centre. We pay a dollar a year and i think this is the key to being able to find a lot of money in the child care system. Some centres pay upwards of 20k a month for their space. Rent and facilities maintenance is a large unaccounted for expense in child care and without the burden centres would be able to reduce fees and pay educators a higher wage while not losing money.

Sorry there was a typo in my email. My name is Bhumika and I submitted my feedback relating to making childcare affordable for everyone, irrespective of their status in Canada. I came here on a work permit and did not have access to child subsidy. It really affects parents, especially women. Thanks!

Hey, thanks for your advocacy on affordable child care. I came to Canada as an immigrant on a work permit and was therefore unable to apply for the child care subsidy. At that time, all of what I earned used to go to the daycare as my daughter was around 2 years old and I couldn’t have joined workforce without placing her in a daycare. Many women like me who come on a work permit are facing this issue. Affordable child care should be available to everyone, irrespective of their status in the country.