Monthly Archives: April 2021

What’s New?

Webinar: “What’s Next for Child Care Following the Federal Budget”

Written by Leah Tolman

I just finished listening to a webinar called What’s Next for Child Care Following the Federal Budget which was hosted by Child Care Now, Canadian Child Care Federation, and Child Care Resource & Research Unit. It was very informative and they were able to correct some misinformation that has been widely circulating in news reports and even referenced by provincial governments. Here is the link to the recorded webinar: What’s Next for Child Care Following the Federal Budget

A couple of things they noted:
– When the federal budget says that they hope to get to a 50/50 cost share between the federal and provincial governments, it DOES NOT mean provinces need to spend new money dollar-for-dollar to get the federal investment. Provinces currently cover most of the government costs associated with child care and the intention is that the federal government aims to match provincial spending levels. Again, not a dollar for dollar matching program.
– This new funding ($30 Billion over 5 years) is in addition to the 2017 funding negotiated in bilateral agreements AND in addition to the $420 million announced last fall for workforce development.
– This new funding ($30 Billion over 5 years) is intended for ALL LICENSED AND REGULATED child care, not exclusive to the non-profit sector.

They encouraged people to sign up to mailing lists on their websites to gain access to current information. I’ll put links below.

Child Care Now
Child Care Now on Facebook

Canadian Child Care Federation
Canadian Child Care Federation on Facebook

Child Care Resource and Research Unit
Child Care Resource and Research Unit on Facebook

What’s New?

News from CAFRA’s Advocacy Committee

Written by Leah Tolman
The advocacy group met at the end of the last membership meeting. We were able to draft a form letter advocating for ECE’s to be prioritized in the vaccine schedule. Please feel free to use it, share it, personalize it, etc. and send it off to the relevant decision makers. We are also sharing a form letter created by another group which advocates for PPE for childcare centres. Again, feel free to use it if it makes sense for you. 

One another note, big news yesterday out of the Federal government! There’s just so much going on in our worlds: creating new Program Plans, the end of the ELCC $25/day program, dealing with COVID-19 and all that comes with it (enrollment, centre closures, staffing issues, vaccines, PPE) the list goes on and on. I hope we can all take a moment to reflect on how momentous this moment is for early learning and childcare (not to mention women and families.) I’ve heard many of your voices and seen many of your faces in the media over the last few weeks, and many others have been advocating behind the scenes. Thank-you to all of you for working so passionately for something so important. 

What’s New?

Have you checked out Related Resources and Organizations lately? There are some new additions to the list! Click on “Professional Learning,” then “Related Resources and Organizations.”

Check out MacEwan’s BECCS program!

Watch this video to see Rakhi Pancholi, MLA, ask Minister of Children’s Services Rebecca Schulz about support for child care in this 3rd wave.
https://fb.watch/4UwXpiGLx0/