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Health News For South West

Thursday, April 30, 2015
Ministry of Education
Ontario Creating 4,000 New Child Care Spaces in Schools

Ontario is creating approximately 4,000 new child care spaces for Ontario families as a result of a significant new investment announced in the 2015 Ontario Budget.

Over the next three years, $120 million in new funding will be dedicated to building safe, high quality, licensed child care spaces in schools across the province where there is significant demand. Schools boards in Ontario can apply now to the Ministry of Education for funding.

This investment is another step towards a modernized child care and early years system that will enhance programs and supports for children in Ontario under age 12. Continuing to improve education - from early years through to postsecondary education - is part of the government's four-part plan to build Ontario up. The plan includes investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan.

Quick Facts:

Since 2003, licensed child care spaces have increased by 70 per cent to 317,868, providing more than 130,000 additional children with safe and reliable child care.
Capital projects will be reviewed by the ministry to determine eligibility requirements and priority criteria for this new investment.
New child care rooms built through this investment will accommodate children from birth until they are eligible for full-day kindergarten.
Over the next 10 years, the province plans to provide school boards with more than $11 billion to help build new schools in areas of high growth, improve the condition of existing schools, and invest in projects to reduce surplus space through school consolidations.
Premier Wynne has appointed a Community Hubs Advisory Group to develop a policy framework that will include innovative use of community space including child care.

Additional Resources

Quotes:

"Our government is proud to invest in families by supporting a modernized child care and early years system with more capacity to care for our youngest learners. Adding approximately 4,000 child care spaces in local schools is an important step toward building Ontario up."

— Liz Sandals, Minister of Education

Media Contacts:

Gary Wheeler
Communications Branch
416-325-2454
gary.s.wheeler@ontario.ca

Nilani Logeswaran
Minister’s Office
416-314-6020
Nilani.Logeswaran@ontario.ca