Advocacy group welcomes reduction in child-care fees

Child Care Now, Canada’s national child care advocacy association, has expressed its approval of the recent reduction in child-care fees in Ontario. The fees have been decreased from an average of $23 a day to an average of $19, with a cap at $22. This change took effect on Wednesday.

Morna Ballantyne, the executive director of Child Care Now, has stated that while the fee reduction only applies to parents with children six years old or younger in licensed child care, she is pleased to see a decrease in fees. She highlighted the introduction of a flat fee system in Ontario, where parents will pay no more than $22 a day regardless of the child-care center they choose. Ballantyne mentioned that in some cases, parents may even pay less than $22, which is an exciting development.

Education Minister Todd Smith announced the fee reduction in August along with a new funding formula for child-care operators in Ontario. This new formula aims to prevent closures and provide operators with stability. Smith emphasized that the extensive consultation process ensured that operators could continue to operate and create much-needed child-care spaces in the province.

Franca Lombardi, a daycare operator in York Region, welcomed the fee reduction as it offers a much-needed break for parents. She emphasized the importance of supporting parents during these financially challenging times and expressed her commitment to providing quality care for children.

Despite the positive changes, Ballantyne pointed out that the lack of adequate child-care space remains a problem in Ontario. She highlighted that the fee reduction only benefits families with access to licensed child care, leaving many families without support. Ballantyne acknowledged the historical lack of public funding for daycare programs but expressed optimism about the recent developments, particularly the new funding formula.

In conclusion, while the fee reduction in Ontario is a step in the right direction, there is still work to be done to ensure all families have access to affordable and high-quality child care. Child Care Now will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for improvements in the child-care system.