Executive summary
Early Years and Child Care Services System Plan Overview
The Early Years and Child Care (EYCC) Service System Plan is a multi-year plan designed to support the creation of a vibrant, inclusive, and high-quality EYCC system and world-class community for children and families.
As the Consolidated Municipal Service Manager (CMSM), the Region of Waterloo, Children’s Services is required to engage in system-wide planning for all licensed EYCC programs serving children birth to 12 years old, to ensure services align with community needs. To develop this System Plan, Children’s Services engaged with over 3,000 parents, EYCC organizations, and community partners in Waterloo Region to gather their feedback and ideas to improve the system. In addition to extensive consultation, an environmental scan of community socio-economic trends, analysis of EYCC program level data, and synthesis of relevant policy and early learning research were all completed.
The System Plan is organized according to four pillars that are needed in a strong EYCC system - access, affordability, quality, and equity and responsiveness. These four components are closely interconnected and coordinated action is needed across each pillar in order to create an equitable EYCC system.
The System Plan includes seven strategic priorities supported by twenty-nine actions, developed based on the consultation feedback and environmental scan. In the coming months, an implementation plan and performance measurement framework (including targets) will be developed to guide the implementation of the System Plan.