Increased Funding To Keep Child Care Centres Safe

Monday, 10 August 2020 07:20

The additional money will support child care operators, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, First Nations Child and Family Programs increase cleaning and infection control, as well make sure personal protective equipment is accessible.

ONTARIO - The Province and the federal government are providing $234.6 million in funding to keep staff and children safe in child care and early years settings.

The money will help support enhanced cleaning costs along with health and safety requirements set out to support the reopening of licensed child care and early years programs. This funding is in addition to the Ontario government's continued commitment to stabilize the child care sector as many Ontarians return to work.

Premier Doug Ford says parents can feel better knowing their children are safe.

"My number one priority is the health and safety of our children. Thanks to our federal partners, we're putting over $230 million on the table as part of the Safe Restart Agreement to help deliver our plan to reopen child care safely at full capacity in September," said Premier Ford.

"With these additional supports in place, we have the best plan anywhere in the country, informed by the best medical advice and science available. Parents can have peace of mind knowing that every measure has been taken to keep their children and the staff who care for them safe."

Premier Ford made the announcement on Friday, where he was joined by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Christine Elliott and Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce. The additional money will support child care operators, EarlyON Child and Family Centres and First Nations Child and Family Programs increase cleaning and infection control, make sure personal protective equipment is accessible to staff, promote physical distancing, buy additional cleaning supplies and support staffing needs.

Minister Lecce said the funding will mean there will be child care available so parents can return to work.

"We are investing more in child care to ensure it is safe, accessible and affordable for working moms and dads. This agreement will ensure funding continues to flow so that child care remains available to parents as they return to work today and into the future."

Canada's Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Ahmed Hussen says the funding will make sure high-quality child care is accessible to all families in Canada.

"The availability of affordable and high-quality child care will be key to ensuring Canadian parents can return to work and our economy can recover from this crisis. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the child care sector to ensure all Canadian families will have access to the quality child care they need."