Early Learning and Child Care – Challenges, Changes and Opportunities

As of late, there has been much attention surrounding early learning and child care in the media. From the rolling –out of the full-day of learning across Ontario to the launch of the Early Years Study 3, there are many perspectives and ideas about early learning and child care in Ontario.

While we support the introduction of the full day of learning for four- and five-year-olds, in Ontario, the impact of its implementation has exacerbated the cracks in an already fragile child care system. This has become quite evident in Toronto early learning and child care programs. Long term underfunding of child care services as well as impacts from the implementation of full-day kindergarten has brought Toronto’s child care system to the brink. The Toronto City Report has a number of recommendations including the key recommendation that “City Council communicate to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Education the urgent need for the development of a child care stabilization and transition plan that ensures the availability of a sustainable, high quality and affordable child care system for all families”. This is but one example of the challenges early learning and child care faces across the province.

Stable, quality child care in Ontario is increasingly vulnerable, leaving thousands of children and working families at risk. Removing four- and five-year-olds from the child care system leaves only toddlers and infants, whose care is far more expensive because they require a higher early childhood educator-to-child ratio.

Although there are many changes and challenges ahead in early learning and child care, there are also good new stories. The launch of Early Years Study 3 ( Mustard, McCain) has re-invigorated the conversation about the benefits of quality early learning as a smart start for school and for life and the role of early childhood education plays in economic development. Locally, the Hamilton Best Start magazine reminds us of all the work that is happening in the Hamilton community for children and families. “The magazine’s launch is timely, as it falls in line with the Week of the Child & Youth celebrations, and the latest Early Years Study 3 authored by the late Dr. Fraser Mustard,” says Paul Johnson, Hamilton Best Start Network Chair and the City’s Director of Neighbourhood Development Strategies. “Dr. Mustard was a visionary whose early child development research will continue to influence the evidence-based programs Best Start builds across this city.

We in the not-for-profit child care world are committed to working with schools and community partners to provide the best care and early learning for children. Ontario needs strong, healthy and sustainable child care sector to provide high-quality care for children and their families. We recognize that more work needs to be done in Ontario to support children and families to access affordable quality early learning and child care. Working together with local and provincial partners, Today’s Family can help Ontario build a strong, integrated child care system for families.