Ontario Invests in New Child Care Spaces

127 New Licensed Child Care Spaces Coming to Peel
News September 23, 2016
Ontario is announcing an estimated $3.5-million investment to build seven new licensed child care rooms in Peel Region that will result in 127 new licensed child care spaces.
The new child care rooms will be located in three new schools:

• Whaley’s Corner Public School in Brampton, which will include two licensed child care rooms and 39 child care spaces, (under construction and expected to open in 2017);
• A new school in the Mayfield West/Southfields Village community of Caledon, which will include three child care rooms and 49 child care spaces, (under construction and expected to open in 2017); and
• A new school in Mississauga will include two licensed child care rooms and 39 child care spaces (expected to open in 2018).
  With these new licensed child care spaces, children in Peel Region will have the opportunity to transition from child care into full-day kindergarten at the same location.

Today’s announcement builds on the commitment the government made in the recent Speech from the Throne. Starting in 2017, Ontario will help to create another 100,000 new, licensed child care spaces for infants, toddlers and preschoolers within the next five years.

Approximately 20 per cent of 0-4 year olds in Ontario are currently in licensed child care. Research indicates that demand is much higher. Creating 100,000 new spaces will double capacity, creating spaces for about 40 per cent of children 0-4 years old. This investment will help people in their everyday lives by promoting early learning and development, and helping more parents find quality, affordable care.

The Associate Minister of Education (Early Years and Child Care) will be leading consultations over the fall and early winter with parents, communities and everyone who makes high quality child care possible in this province to inform the government’s five-year commitment and the broader policy framework that will underpin it.

Investing in new, licensed child care spaces is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUOTES

“Today our government is announcing it is expanding the number of licensed child care spaces in Peel Region. Having more options for accessible and high quality child care in our communities will allow parents greater peace of mind and help them to better balance their work and family lives.”
— MPP Amrit Mangat (Mississauga–Brampton South)

“The announcement of seven new licensed child care rooms in Peel Region with an estimated investment of $3.5 million will result in 127 new licensed child care spaces, the majority of which would be operational by 2017. This investment will help people in their everyday lives by promoting early learning and development in our children. It is an important step toward improving access to high-quality, licensed child care spaces for all families. This announcement builds on the commitment of our government to create 100,000 new licensed child care spaces within the next five years.”
— MPP Vic Dhillon (Brampton West)

“The investment of $3.5 million to build new licensed child care rooms in Peel Region will support families and increase the childcare options available to them in their community. The ultimate goal is to build a child care and early learning system that will better support parents and give our children the best possible start in life. With these additional child care spaces, children in Peel will have the opportunity to transition from child care into full-day kindergarten at the same location.”
— MPP Harinder Malhi (Brampton–Springdale)

QUICK FACTS

 In April 2015, the province announced $120 million in new funding dedicated to building safe, high-quality, licensed child care spaces in schools across the province. So far, $113 million has been allocated, resulting in almost 3,800 new licensed child care spaces coming soon to communities across Ontario.
 Since 2003–04, the government has doubled child care funding to more than $1 billion annually, and the number of licensed child care spaces in Ontario has grown to nearly 351,000 – an increase of 87 per cent.
 Ontario’s ban on child care wait list fees took effect September 1, 2016

LEARN MORE

• Modernizing Child Care in Ontario
• Child care in Ontario
•  Child and Family Programs in Ontario
• Ontario’s Ban on Child Care Wait List Fees
• Community Hubs in Ontario
• Achieving Excellence – A Renewed Vision for Education in Ontario

CONTACT

MPP Amrit Mangat                       MPP Vic Dhillon                   MPP Harinder Malhi
Mississauga–Brampton              South Brampton                  West Brampton–Springdale
(905) 696-0367                            (905) 796-8669                   (905) 495-8030