March 19, 2021
The YMCA knows healthy families are supported families. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of accessible high-quality child care on child development, family outcomes, women’s participation in the workforce, and the whole Canadian economy.
With the Throne Speech promise and early investments announced in the Fall Economic Statement, the Government of Canada has committed to building a pan-Canadian child care system to build back better. Addressing barriers and ensuring high-quality child care meets the needs of children, their families, and child care agencies will require collaboration between all levels of government and stakeholders.
As the largest non-profit provider of early learning and child care in Canada, the YMCA understands the positive impact of accessible high-quality child care on children, their families, and communities. With more than 50-years of experience providing high-quality early learning and child care in Canada, the YMCA has identified four pillars and 17 recommendations to achieve a pan-Canadian licensed child care system:
- A well-recognized Early Childhood Educator profession
- Expansion of high-quality non-profit child care, and lower costs for families
- All children have the support they need to achieve their best start
- Evaluation for continuous improvement and accountability
Read more about our national policy positioning, and our recommendations for building a pan-Canadian child care system:
“Our policy recommendations are based on decades of experience, and center on creating high-quality learning and care environments for children, and addressing barriers to access, affordability, and inclusivity for families,” said Peter Dinsdale, President and CEO, YMCA Canada. “With our evidence-based curriculum and deep roots in communities, the YMCA is keen to partner with all levels of Government to build a pan-Canadian child care system.”
About YMCA Early Learning and Child Care:
As Canada’s leading not-for-profit provider of play-based licensed child care, the YMCA has more than 88,300 licensed infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age spaces from coast to coast. YMCA Child Care programs are guided by the YMCA Playing to Learn™ curriculum for preschool children (up to age 6) and the YMCA A Place to Connect™ curriculum for school-age children (ages 5-12) in both before- and after school care programs. Each YMCA Playing to Learn™ and YMCA A Place to Connect™ classroom is evaluated and assessed and our educators are qualified professionals who receive extensive in-house training, mentorship, and coaching.