Excerpts
The 2025-2030 Service Plan is now available. It outlines the key goals for the early years and child care sector in Toronto over the next five years. The Plan is based on provincial rules and laws, and it explains Toronto Children’s Services values, role, and responsibilities in achieving the sector’s goals.
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Commitment to Indigenous Communities
Toronto Children’s Services commits to supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children and families in Toronto.
We will work with Indigenous partners to co-create an Indigenous-led Service Plan. It will include the voices, needs and goals of Indigenous children and families in Toronto.
We know this work is urgent and ongoing. We recognize:
- Indigenous communities face unique challenges in Toronto;
- real reconciliation requires honesty, trust, and long-term action;
- we must speak up to other levels of government for better funding and supports for Indigenous families; and
- building strong, respectful relationships with Indigenous communities is key to moving forward in truth and reconciliation.
Children’s Services commits to:
- upholding Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination in the early years and child care sector;
- promoting culturally safe and welcoming spaces;
- using Indigenous knowledges and practices in programs and services in a respectful way;
- removing barriers to accessing early years and childcare programs and services;
- promoting accessible, inclusive programming; and
- working with Indigenous communities and Indigenous-led organizations in the early years and child care sector to measure progress and strengthen accountability.
Guiding Principles
A set of eight principles guide the Service Plan:
- Truth, Reconciliation, and Justice
- Inclusive
- Child-centred
- Equitable
- Responsible
- Evidence-informed
- Collaborative
- Innovative
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Strategic Priorities for 2025-2030
The Service Plan includes seven priorities to guide our work:
- Advance self-determination with Indigenous organizations and families in the early years and child care sector
- Expand the early years and child care system to meet the needs of children and their families
- Remove barriers to accessing child care and early years services
- Support a thriving early years and child care workforce
- Champion a high-quality and well-managed early years and child care system
- Centre inclusion in the early years and child care sector for children, families, and staff
- Connect families with essential family support services