EXCERPTS

I understand that full-day kindergarten will impact the child care sector and that is why our government will provide permanent stabilization funding to support child care centres as four- and five-year-olds move into full-day kindergarten.

Although this article cited Ottawa's 2010-11 allocation of just under $600,000, it did not mention that Ottawa's allocation will grow each year as the stabilization fund grows over time. By 2015-16, the province will provide $51 million in stabilization funding across Ontario. An additional $12 million over five years for new capital funding will help non-profit child care centres with retrofits and renovations to serve younger children.

Over the period of implementation, some fee subsidies that currently support four- and five-year-olds in childcare will continue to serve children of the same age who move into extended day programs. Fee subsidies that currently support children aged 0-4 and 6-12 will remain in the child-care system, and will be supplemented by the stabilization funding.

I look forward to working with community partners on implementing this innovative program. Full-day kindergarten will set our children on course to be more prepared for Grade 1 and to excel throughout their education and work careers.

Leona Dombrowsky,
Minister of Education,
Ontario