Province creative 49 child care spaces in Ottawa school

_ (press release) _ Today in Ottawa, Premier Kathleen Wynne was at École élémentaire catholique Horizon-Jeunesse to announce a $1.5-million investment to build three new child care rooms that will  result in 49 new licensed child care spaces.

Today’s announcement builds on the commitment the government made in the recent Speech from the Throne . Starting in 2017, Ontario will help to create another 100,000 new, licensed child care spaces for infants, toddlers and preschoolers within the next five years.

Approximately 20 per cent of 0-4-year olds in Ontario are currently in licensed child care. Research indicates that demand is much higher. Creating 100,000 new spaces will double capacity , creating spaces for about 40 per cent of children 0-4 years old. This investment will help people in their everyday lives by promoting early learning and development, and helping more parents find quality, affordable care.

Investing in new, licensed child care spaces is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

Quick Facts






  * 
 In April 2015, the province announced
 [
  $120 million in new funding
 ](https://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2015/04/ontario-creating-4000-new-child-care-spaces-in-schools.html?_ga=1.130528079.1758642753.1438182862)
 dedicated to building safe, high-quality, licensed child care spaces in schools across the province. So far, $113 million has been allocated, resulting in almost 3,800 new licensed child care spaces coming soon to communities across Ontario.

  * 
 Since 2003–04, the government has doubled child care funding to more than $1 billion annually, and the number of licensed child care spaces in Ontario has grown to nearly 351,000 — an increase of 87 per cent.

  * 
 Ontario’s ban on child care wait list fees took effect September 1, 2016.

Additional Resources






  * 
 [
  Modernizing Child Care in Ontario
 ](http://www.ontario.ca/page/child-care-modernization)

  * 
 [
  Child and Family Programs in Ontario
 ](http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/FamilyPrograms.html)

  * 
 [
  Achieving Excellence: A Renewed Vision for Education in Ontario
 ](http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/about/excellent.html)