So far this summer, we have submitted a number of Freedom of Information and Access to Information requests to improve transparency and understanding of early learning and child care policy in Canada. These requests focus on workforce pressures, funding, infrastructure, and the implementation of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system. We will continue to submit additional requests throughout the summer and share updates as responses are received.
Update on Director Approvals from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026
We requested updated provincial data on Director Approvals issued under O. Reg. 137/15, s. 54(1), which allows individuals who are not Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) to fill positions that would otherwise require an RECE. The request seeks breakdowns by region, auspice, Montessori status, and role type to provide a clearer picture of how Director Approvals are being used across Ontario.
CWELCC Funding Shortfall
Following the Auditor General of Ontario’s finding that Ontario faces a projected $1.95 billion CWELCC funding shortfall in 2026–27, we requested records related to the assumptions, forecasts, costing models, and financial analyses used to develop this estimate. These records will help improve understanding of the funding pressures facing the Ontario child care system and the factors contributing to the projected shortfall.
Federal CWELCC Funding Adequacy and Extension Agreement
We submitted a federal Access to Information request seeking records related to the federal government’s assessment of whether funding provided to Ontario is sufficient to support the CWELCC system. The request also seeks records related to negotiations surrounding the extension of the Canada-Ontario agreement and the final signed 2026–27 extension agreement.
Third-Party Child Care Programs and Before-and After-School Programs
Access to school-based child care and before- and after-school programs is critical for many families. We requested records regarding planned and actual disruptions to third-party child care programs, including closures, service interruptions, the reasons for those disruptions, and actions taken by school boards to maintain or restore services.
Licensed Child Care Centre Location Types
We requested aggregate data on the locations of licensed child care centres across Ontario. The request seeks information on centres operating in schools, hospitals, community centres, commercial buildings, and residential settings, as well as breakdowns by for-profit, non-profit, and publicly operated centres.
School-Based Child Care Capital Projects
To better understand child care expansion efforts, we requested records related to school-based child care capital projects planned or approved between 2022 and 2026. The request seeks information on planned child care spaces, project timelines, cancelled projects, and whether cancelled spaces have been reallocated to other initiatives.
Infrastructure Funding
We submitted a request to the Ontario Ministry of Education regarding Ontario’s share of the federal Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund. The request seeks information on annual funding amounts, recipients, allocations and disbursements, approval dates, funding purposes, and any unallocated funds.
Federal Secretariat
We submitted a request seeking information about the Federal Secretariat on Early Learning and Child Care. The request covers the Secretariat’s organizational structure, staffing, expenditures, and research activities, including organizational charts, financial reports, and analyses prepared to support policy development.
Federal Loan Program
We submitted a federal request concerning the Child Care Expansion Loan Program. The request seeks information on funding allocations and disbursements, applications and approvals, approved projects, implementation timelines, and analyses of the program’s progress and contribution to creating new child care spaces.
Proportion of ECEs in Ontario
We requested updated information on the composition of Ontario’s child care workforce. The request seeks annual data from 2021 onward on the number of full-time and part-time RECEs and non-RECE employees working in licensed child care centres, including program staff, supervisors, and other employees. These data will help provide a clearer picture of the workforce supporting Ontario’s licensed child care sector.
Harmonization of Educational Qualifications
We sent a letter to the Premier of Ontario and the Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs seeking information about Ontario’s role in harmonizing educational qualifications across Canada. The letter asks whether early childhood education qualifications are within the scope of this work and requests any mandates, work plans, reports, briefing materials, or progress updates related to the initiative.
Updates and findings from these requests will be shared as responses are received.