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Fact Sheet

Keeping Licensed Child Care Accessible For All Families

Ontario will start to phase in full-day early learning for up to 35,000 four- and five-year-olds in almost 600 schools across the province, beginning in September 2010. The program will be phased in over five years.

As full-day learning is phased in, more four- and five-year-olds will be in school full time and taking advantage of school-based before and after school programs. As a result, the need for child care for children of this age group during the school year will decrease.

To maintain and enhance licensed child care for all Ontario families, the government plans to:

• Provide some capital funding over the next five years to help eligible child care operators convert child care spaces so more younger and older children can be served
• Amend the Day Nurseries Act so child care operators have more flexibility in delivering services, while maintaining quality and high standards
• Continue to support low-income families in need of child care, including before and after school-based programs, through fee subsidies.

These measures will help ensure there is as little disruption as possible for children, families, service providers and communities.

Municipalities, as the service managers for child care, will continue to work closely with school boards, community organizations and local operators to offer child care options that respond to the changing needs of families.

Families will continue to have flexibility in choosing their child care arrangements: licensed child care centres, home day care and after school recreation programs.

Licensed child care centres will continue to operate under the licensing conditions and guidelines of the Day Nurseries Act. Operators will continue to make decisions about their programs, including length and ages served, based on community and family needs.