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Ontario parents learned in November that the province secured a one-year extension with the federal government to carry the national $10-a-day child-care program, and on Thursday the extension was made official.
While the funding brings relief, big questions remain about spaces, staffing and when Ontario will actually reach its long-promised $10-a-day goal.
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In total, the federal government is providing $3.9 billion in funding, including $695 million next year to hold fees at an average of $19 a day through 2026.
But the extension does not answer one of the biggest questions: When will Ontario finally reach $10-a-day childcare, a target originally set for 2026?
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Staffing is also a growing concern. Ontario’s Auditor General has warned that the province will need about 10,000 more early childhood educators by 2026 to meet demand.
“It’s no secret we’ve had challenges with respect to recruitment. I think some of the work that we’ve done in collaboration with the federal government with respect to wages has made a difference and will continue to make a difference,” Calandra said.
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