Backgrounder


Support for Ontario's Child Care Modernization Plan

June 27, 2012

Here is what people are saying about the McGuinty government's plan to create a more integrated and seamless early learning and child care system:

"It is essential that we move beyond our fragmented child care situation to develop a truly modernized and integrated system of early learning and care. I truly hope that this consultation will be taken seriously by parents, providers and experts and lead to action by the government to provide a new approach to funding and accountability for an affordable, accessible and high quality child care system for Ontario's children and families."
– Charles E. Pascal, Professor of Human Development & Applied Psychology at OISE/University of Toronto

"The commitment of the government to quality early learning is clear with the implementation of full-day kindergarten. We now need to ensure that the child care system is strengthened and stabilized while promoting consistent quality of early learning and care across the province."
– Joan Arruda and Linda Cottes, Co-Chairs of the Quality Early Learning Network

“The Day Nurseries Act hasn't gone through a thorough review since 1983. Since then a lot has changed in the child care sector. It is critical that we review this legislation to ensure it fits the times and is consistent with a sustainable child care system that is coordinated with FDK.”
– Medhat Mahdy, President of YMCA Ontario; President & CEO YMCA of Greater Toronto

“Moving forward on modernization is an important step towards building a coordinated, seamless model of child care that works with full-day kindergarten and works for Ontario families. Ontario Municipal Social Services Association members know the day-to-day successes and challenges of child care service system management and delivery in urban, rural, northern and remote contexts, and are eager to provide their expertise into these discussions.”
– Kira Heineck, Executive Director of the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association

“Congratulations to Minister Broten on this comprehensive discussion paper that is both thorough and thoughtful. While the issues we all face are many, the paper clearly, and with deep understanding, outlines the issues. I know that many of us will spend much time in thinking through the issues, and responding in kind, with thoughtfulness and the best possible outcomes of our children in mind.”
– Peter Frampton, Executive Director of The Learning Enrichment Foundation

"The Council of Ontario Directors of Education is pleased that the government is taking additional steps to reinforce the smooth transitions of early learning for children by strengthening day care provision, locations and program. Directors believe strongly in the outcomes of a continuous learning experience for all students. These new measures will be of great benefit in making more schools the places where children begin and continue their education."
– Frank Kelly, Executive Director of the Council of Ontario Directors of Education

“This is an exciting period for early childhood programming in Ontario, an opportunity to think big – to drag child care out of its outmoded welfare origins and position it as the first tier of early childhood development and family support”
– Christine Avery Nunez, Acting Executive Director The Atkinson Charitable Foundation.

"Child Development Institute is very pleased to see the McGuinty government support child care and the thousands of Ontario families that use or need the service by providing significant new funding and also taking the first step forward in modernizing child care. While this service is important, we currently operate on the basis of a current regulatory framework that is old and out of date. Similarly, current funding mechanisms are patches on patches. The solutions to achieve our vision for child care are complex and we salute Minister Broten's style of inviting participation and involvement in the work ahead. We look forward to joining these conversations toward do-able and practical solutions that will strengthen what we all do for young children and families."
– Tony Diniz, Chief Executive Officer, Child Development Institute

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