In this letter, CUPE Local 79 President Ann Dembinski sheds light on the difficult transition that child care centres are facing with the introduction of Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten. A ‘Children’s Services Report’ that outlines the problem must go to City Council without delay.
Dear Councillor Mammoliti, and Members of the Community Development & Recreation Committee:
RE: Agenda Item CD8.1- Transitional Issues Impacting Toronto’s Child Care System and Recommended Actions for Mitigation
The Children’s Services Report before the Community Development & Recreation Committee today gives a complete overview of the City’s child care system and the urgent need for City Council to press the Province of Ontario for funding and resources. There is a critical need to stabilize child care services in the transition to the Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten (FDELK) program.
Child care is central to providing support for children and their families. Parents today use child care to support their participation in the workforce, to pursue education or training and to balance work and family responsibilities. Municipal child care centres have been delivering quality care for over 50 years, and the City of Toronto has been recognized as a leader in child care services. But the system needs adequate, stable funding from the provincial and federal governments so the City can continue to manage and operate a quality, accessible child care system.
There is an urgency that this Children’s Services Report go directly to City Council. The recommendation that it be referred to the Mayor’s backroom, unaccountable, Child Care Task Force, chaired by Councillor Mammoliti, would only delay Council acting on the Report.
There can be no more delays. It is absolutely crucial that the Province of Ontario provide capital, operating and transitional funding to stabilize the child care sector as the Full Day Early Learning Kindergarten program rolls out over the next four years.
Yours truly,
Ann Dembinski
President
