Ontario is making full-day licensed child care free for preschool children from the age of two-and-a-half until they are eligible to start kindergarten, beginning in 2020.
Free preschool child care will save families an estimated $17,000 per child, allow parents to go back to work when they choose and help give children the best start in life.
Ontario is spending about $2.2 billion over three years to expand access to affordable child care for families in Guelph and across the province, ease the financial burden families are facing in the changing economy, and deliver free licensed child care for children from the age of two-and-a-half until kindergarten, officials say.
“Free child care for preschool aged children is an incredible support for Ontario children and families,” said Indira Naidoo-Harris, minister of education and minister responsible for early years and child care.
“This historic commitment will save Ontario families thousands of dollars annually and give parents peace of mind.”
Early learning has been demonstrated to improve a child’s academic performance throughout their lives.
Officials say improved access to child care gives parents, especially women, more choice about when they return to work and will help Ontario close the gender wage gap.
Making full-day child care free for families with preschool-aged children is part of the government’s plan to support care, create opportunity and make life more affordable, officials say.
Quick facts
– Ontario is spending $2.2 billion over three years in child care, which includes over $930 million in 2020-21 to make licensed preschool child care free for kids from the age of two and half until they are eligible for kindergarten, beginning in September 2020.
– As part of the overall spending, Ontario is increasing operating funding across the child care system by an additional $162.5 million over three years to increase access to licensed child care, support fee reductions and reduce or eliminate fee-subsidy wait lists.
– The spending includes $90 million in 2018-19 to support continued expansion of child care for children ages 0 to 4 years, including $53 million to create approximately 4,200 fee subsidies and $26 million to establish base funding for home child care.
– A two-year, $30 million innovation fund will seek solutions to chronic issues in child care, including ways to extend child care hours to ease anxiety and stress for parents who work long hours, shifts or are in precarious work situations.
– Making child care more affordable and accessible was one of the key recommendations from the gender wage gap steering committee’s final report. This supports Ontario’s strategy for women’s economic empowerment that will help close the wage gap between men and women.
– Since 2012–13, the number of licensed child care spaces in Ontario has grown to more than 406,000 — a 38 per cent increase.
– As of Sept. 1, 2016, licensed child care centres and home child care agencies may no longer charge parents fees to have their child placed on a wait list.
