$10/day Daycare: After Shaky Rollout, Many Challenges Lie Ahead for County, Centres and Parents

After much reluctance, in March this year the Ontario government agreed to participate in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Childcare program started by the federal government. During the first year, it will provide a 25 per cent fee reduction for children under six years of age. And by 2015-26 the cost of early childcare services is expected to be $10 per day.

However, Doug Ford’s government changed rules often causing frustration among childcare providers. One of the sticking points was paying for the additional services offered by some centers. After the government agreed to provide the funding, the deadline for centers to participate in the program was extended until Nov 1. 

There are a total 203 daycare and early childhood education centers in Simcoe County. Out of these 203, 173 that is 87 per cent have opted in as of Nov 1. But what is holding remaining centers from participating in the program that will benefit thousands of families  under pressure due to rise in cost of living and stagnant wages. Why is there a trust deficit between the provincial government and centers? What are challenges ahead for the program? To get answers to these questions, we talked to Simcoe County’s Director of Children and Community Services Jan Janssen. 

Janssen said there was a reluctance since the beginning because it is “a different way to envision licensed childcare in Ontario, we are essentially building a public system.” Another reason the rollout was delayed was because the provincial government in April denied support for rental costs. 

The federal government will pay around $10 billion to Ontario over the five years and out of that the County of Simcoe’s share is $21 million this year. The county has flexibility in deciding payment to centres for additional expenses such as providing art or music lessons. “So there's going to be a lot of negotiating,” she said.