Full-Day Learning and Child Care:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is going to happen to my local child care centre? Is it going to close because four and five year olds are leaving?
As full-day learning is phased in, more four- and five-year-olds will be in school full-time and parents will be able to take 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.
Municipalities, as the service managers for child care, will continue to work closely with community organizations and local operators to offer child care options that respond to the needs of parents.
What are you doing to help families whose child care is disrupted by this new initiative?
The government is committed to maintaining and enhancing child care for Ontario’s families because we know how important the early years are for kids and their parents.
The Early Learning Program will be phased in gradually. A gradual implementation will allow local government, child care operators and communities to adjust to the changes that the new initiative will bring.
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; and
- Continue to support low-income families in need of child care, including before and after school-based programs, through fee subsidies
What will happen to child care programs already in the schools?
Child care centres located in schools will continue to provide services to children and families based on local demand in their communities.
We will continue to work with municipalities, local Best Start networks and other key stakeholders to maintain stability in child care and ensure there is as little disruption as possible for children, families, service providers and communities.
Will the child care centres located in local schools still accept under-four and over-six year-old children? Will the child care program be changing?
Child care operators make decisions about their programs, including length of the program and ages served, based on community and family needs. This will not change when full-day early learning is introduced for four- and five-year-olds.
Licensed child care centres will continue to operate under the licensing conditions and guidelines of the Day Nurseries Act.
It’s hard enough to find decent, affordable, child care as it is. What are you doing to help families who may lose their child care spots because of this new program?
Helping families find child care is very important to us. This is why in 2007, the government launched the licensed child care centre finder, which allows parents to easily search for available child care in their area.
The gradual implementation of the Early Learning Program will allow local government, child care operators and communities to adjust to the changes that the new initiative will bring.
We are committed to maintaining and enhancing child care for Ontario’s families because we know how important the early years are for kids and their parents. By continuing to work Ontario’s municipalities, local Best Start networks and other key stakeholders, we aim to maintain stability in child care and ensure there is as little disruption as possible for children, families, service providers and communities.
Will my child care fees increase?
Child care fees vary across the province for a variety of reasons. As costs change, operators may adjust their fees for child care services.
The government continues to provide fee subsidies to low-income families accessing child care. The details of these plans will be determined and finalized at the municipal level. The gradual implementation of the Early Learning Program will allow our government to work closely with our municipal partners to ensure that families continue to have access to affordable child care
For more information:
How can I find out if my local school has full-day learning?
Visit the Ministry of Education Early Learning site for the list of schools.
Where can I get more information about child care centres in my area?
Visit the Ministry’s web-based child care centre finder or call the MCYS regional office in your area.
How can I find out if my child care centre is going to close?
Talk to your local child care operator about their plans.
How can I find out if my child care costs are going to rise?
Talk to your local child care operator.
How do I apply for a child care fee subsidy?
To find out more about child care subsidies, read about paying for child care.
