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Public funding and child care policy: How do we 'make the connection'?

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Child Care Policy: Making the Connections project
Author: 
Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada
Format: 
Fact sheet
Publication Date: 
1 Sep 2005
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Excerpts from the fact sheet:

Over the last several years, federal, provincial and territorial governments have acknowledged the importance of public investment in programs and services for young children. As the evidence clearly shows, a comprehensive approach to public funding for early childhood development (ECD), with regulated early learning and child care as a foundation:

- supports healthy child development and parents/families in all of their roles,
- advances women's equality,
- builds communities, and
- strengthens our economy.

While Canada currently spends less supporting families and young children's development than many other countries, the good news is that our investment is increasing. The challenge is to ensure that these public funds are used to develop and implement government policy that the research shows will lead to good outcomes for Canada's children and will meet families' needs.

While increased public funding is critical, how these funds are spent is equally important. Effective child care systems in other countries depend on public policies that make high quality, affordable services accessible for families. This approach is reflected in the four building blocks for child care advanced by the Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada, and demonstrates accountability for public funds.

Without supportive government policies and adequate public funding families who can't afford or find quality child care will not have their needs met.

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