Once approved, an operator has 60 days to refund families 25 percent of fees retroactively paid through April 1 for eligible children.
Read more: Toronto parents could see daycare fees drop in the fall, city says
Of the approximately 900 for-profits that are members of the Ontario Association of Independent Child Care Centers (OAICC), “not one” has said they have opted in so far. “Some have already opted out. Most are waiting to see what resolution can be reached with the province,” said Maggie Moser, director of the OAICC. 2:03 Licensed child care centers in Toronto can now apply for $10 per day child care program Licensed child care centers in Toronto can now apply for $10 per day child care program – June 23, 2022 Moser said her members would be putting their businesses at risk if they committed to lower fees without a contract detailing funding. Story continues below ad “Without a contract, you’re basically being asked to sign a blank check … We’ve been told nothing will be available for 2023,” he said. Moser called the release of the program “a mess.” “It’s a mess. It’s disorganized. There is information from across the province that varies… At this time we cannot select the information we have. It would basically force us into bankruptcy, so we can’t do that,” he said.
Read more: Toronto launches application for licensed operators to get $10-a-day childcare
More than 200 child care centers have applied to the City of Toronto to participate in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, while nine centers have confirmed their intention to opt out for 2022. Trending Stories
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Shanlee McNamee, general manager of the City of Toronto Children’s Services told Global News, “the city is pleased with the current rate of applications.” 1:47 NDP’s Jagmeet Singh pushes Liberals for support for families amid rising inflation with his own baby in tow NDP’s Jagmeet Singh pushes Liberals for support for families amid rising inflation with his own baby in tow tow – June 22, 2022 Aurelia Engstrom of East York is a mother of two. Her youngest will start daycare in 2023, so she hopes it will only cost her $10 a day, as opposed to what she currently pays for her older daughter. Story continues below ad “It’s something we’ve needed for so long to help women, the primary carers, get back into the workforce. Especially, I think, at a time when we’ve seen throughout the pandemic how the biggest burden has fallen on primary caregivers and mothers who have to care to care for their children,” he said.
Read more: Some cities won’t cut childcare fees in half by year’s end, study finds
Engstrom recalled that he considered moving to Quebec, where daycare is subsidized and costs much less than in Ontario. “I am optimistic that it will eventually be implemented. I’m a little concerned that we’re going to see some kind of backsliding from our government… I’m concerned that we’re going to see something like $4 billion go away – just as the pandemic funds conveniently went away. I’m worried about everything that’s going on. I don’t have a lot of faith in our provincial government,” Engstrom said. Ontario’s child care agreement with the federal government is structured in a way that makes municipalities responsible for enrollment and distribution of funds. When Emeline, now four months old, finally starts daycare, her big sister will start school. “We’re hoping that eventually we’ll see that 25 percent reduction, which would make a big difference,” Engstrom said. Story continues below ad 1:39 New Brunswick puts 6-month moratorium on subsidized daycare Previous Video Next Video © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
