Local families using the YMCA for daycare are set to see some savings.
YMCAs across Ontario, including locally, are welcoming a federal and provincial announcement to advance the rollout of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement.
Ottawa and Queen’s Park jointly announced this week that parent fees for children under six are being reduced by 50% – on average – effective December 31st.
“Our government is proud to deliver affordable child care for Ontario families. That is why we are excited to announce a 50% reduction in fees on January 1st, saving families $6,000 on average, with some families saving as much as $10,000 per year,” says Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education for Ontario. “By doing so, we put money back into parents’ pockets, while investing to create over 50,000 additional spaces. Our government will continue to ensure choice is respected, spaces are created, and fees are significantly reduced benefiting all parents in all regions of our province.”
The federal child care agreement, established earlier this year, will reduce the cost of child care over time to $10 a day on average by 2026.
YMCAs across Ontario recently opted into the Canada-wide agreement and officials say they have been actively reducing fees for children five years of age and under.