New Child care spaces coming to schools in Davenport

More than 88 Children to Benefit from 5 New Child Care Rooms in Local Schools

Ontario is taking a significant step towards creating 45,000 new licensed child care spaces in schools, communities and other public spaces across the province including funding for 125 new child care rooms at schools in Toronto. As a result of this investment, more than 2100 children and their families will gain access to high-quality licensed care in a safe, convenient setting.
Cristina Martins, MPP for Davenport was at St. Nicholas of Bari Catholic School today to announce the new child care spaces, including:

• St. Nicholas of Bari Catholic School to receive 1 infant room, 1 toddler room and 1 pre-school room. This represents an investment of more than $1.5 million dollars and 49 new affordable child care spaces.
• Blessed Pope Paul VI Catholic School to receive an investment of more than $500,000 to renovate 1 toddler room and 1 pre-school room. This is for 39 new affordable child care spaces.

Helping more families access quality, affordable child care is an essential part of the government’s plan for a fairer, better Ontario. It will give more children a safe, caring environment in which to learn and grow, and allow more women to go back to work and pursue their careers, which is critical to closing the gender wage gap.
As part of a five-year commitment to help 100,000 more children up to the age of four access child care, Ontario is investing up to $1.6 billion in capital projects alone. This will add an estimated 45,000 new licensed child care spaces in schools and other community settings. Additionally, the province is increasing operating funding and subsidies to help more children aged 0–4 years access quality child care. During this period of rapid economic change, the government knows it must step up to create fairness and opportunity for families. In addition to providing easier access to affordable child care for 100,000 more children, the plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.

QUOTES
“Creating more licensed child care spaces in schools is key to building an early years and child care system that is seamless and accessible for families in Ontario. These school-based spaces support young children and their families with access to affordable, high-quality care closer to home. By investing in our children’s early years, we are giving them a strong start in life and building a strong future for all of us.” — Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care

“Ontario’s schools are places where communities come together to grow and thrive. By integrating more licensed child care spaces into schools, we are building a stronger education system that supports students and their families from the earliest years onward.” — Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education

“As more and more young families make Davenport their home, it is important that we have high-quality, affordable, licensed child care spaces. I’m proud our government recognizes the pressing need for affordable child care spaces for young families in Toronto, and especially here in Davenport. This is the first step in delivering on our promise to establish 100 000 new child care spaces across the province over the next five years.” — Cristina Martins, MPP, Davenport

“At the Toronto Catholic District School Board, our goal is to provide our students and their families with a community of support that fosters student achievement and well-being. The Ministry’s commitment to provide school-based child care spaces allows us to continue to collaborate in order to provide families with quality, affordable child care options that are close to home.” — Frank D’Amico, Trustee Ward 6

QUICK FACTS
• Ontario is investing $ 61.5 million in Toronto for new child care projects that will benefit local families.
• Ontario is investing $231 million in 2017-18 to help create 493 new child care rooms in 188 schools across the province. As a result of this investment 8,440 children and their families will gain access to high-quality licensed child care.
• Since 2012–13, the number of licensed child care spaces in Ontario has grown to almost 390,000 — a 32 per cent increase.
• In June, Ontario released its Renewed Early Years and Child Care Policy Framework and Expansion Plan, which outlines a vision for a high-quality, inclusive and affordable early years and child care system.