Excerpt from press release
The Manitoba Child Care Association (MCCA) is delighted to release its Roadmap to a Quality Early Learning and Child Care System in Manitoba. This important document outlines how we (all levels of government, advocates, academics, researchers, the sector and stakeholders) can collectively realize a comprehensive, high-quality Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) system for Manitoba’s children, families and communities. Under the guidance and expertise of Jane Beach, as lead researcher, the Roadmap reflects the findings from virtual engagement with a range of ELCC and related stakeholders in March 2022. It is informed by the considerable body of research and policy development about system building that has been conducted in Canada and internationally. The Roadmap partners include – Child Care Coalition of Manitoba, Child Care Now (CCN) and the Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF). The document is an ideal framework to facilitate discussions on how best to build an ELCC system. It addresses the connection of the important policy issues and how each needs to be included as a whole, not in isolation of each other: the ELCC workforce, expanding access for families, enhancing and further quality, affordability and inclusion. The Roadmap also recognizes and builds on the existing strengths of ELCC in Manitoba. The Manitoba Child Care Association (MCCA) is working with its partners in distributing the Roadmap and engaging others in the important work of strengthening early learning and child care in our province. It has been shared with our provincial government and with the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. In addition, it will be shared with members of the opposition, numerous stakeholders and media. This is a historic and exciting time for Manitoba ~ it is critical that we get it right for all.