Welcome to 2016! – Winter 2016

Welcome to 2016! The world of early learning and child care continues to evolve and transform with another set of regulation changes potentially arriving from the provincial government over the next couple of months. Family Day continues to work through the previous regulation changes for both our licensed home child care programs, and for our centre-based child care and school age programs. Through all this, our goal continues to be that of maintaining excellent program quality, and ensuring that children and families enjoy the programming they attend.

I encourage staff and families to keep an eye on announcements around early learning and care at the national level. Encourage your federal members of Parliament to think about support for families who need to access child care. Clearly, in these difficult economic times, the government may take a more measured approach, however, a national strategy on early learning and care in Canada is long overdue and necessary for families balancing multiple priorities. Strong commitment from the federal government will enhance funding in Ontario and improve access to affordable, regulated child care in this province.

Finally, a special thank you goes to our staff in all three regions for your valuable contributions to the United Way of Toronto and York Region, and the United Way of Peel Region. Within the agency, a record 75 per cent of our staff participated by making donations through payroll deductions. With the support from families through our Dance Day for the United Way of Toronto and York Region, and many other events, all of you have made a lasting impact in the communities in which we serve.

Joan Arruda