Significant impact expected in Halton riding by Catherine O'Hara Metroland West Media 23 | Thursday, September 29, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The Province is looking to spend up to $3 billion over the next five years to create 100,000 new licensed child-care spaces. "This is a historic initiative and it will transform the way we deliver childcare in our Province," said Halton MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris, Associate Minister of Education (Early Years and Child Care), at The Family Place in Milton, where she met with early childhood educators and their young charges Sept. 22. "It will help more families to find quality, affordable child care, one that is flexible and one that gives them choice." Currently, it is estimated 20 per cent of children ages four and under are in care at licensed centres. With regions like Halton experiencing rapid residential growth, there's no doubt the demand for licensed child care is higher, claims the Province. Investments in the sector, said Naidoo-Harris, will effectively double the number of child-care spaces in the Province. Halton, she added, will reap some of the benefits. "This commitment will have significant impact in this area.... We are surrounded by young families, as we all know, in this riding and I think this commitment in specific is really going to be our children," said The Family Place's executive director Sandra Vieira. "By adding more spaces, this creates opportunities for educators to work in this very rewarding field. Children are our future; we need to support their development by having quality child care accessible to all." The new licensed child-care spaces will include a mix of leased, new and retrofitted spaces. The allocated funding, between $1 billion-$3 billion, will also go toward boosting access to home-based child care. The Province is set to begin rolling out its plan in January 2017. Halton MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris great news for our local families," said the MPP , who will be leading consultations with stakeholders from across the Province to inform them of the government's five-year pledge. Naidoo-Harris says she has heard from families, parents and caregivers, child-care and early years partners about the need for more spaces. Since the government announced details of its plans in its most recent Speech from the Throne, feedback has been positive. "The reception has been incredible," said Naidoo-Harris. "People are so pleased with this initiative." "We are thrilled to hear the Ontario government is making a commitment to create 100,000 new child-care spaces over the next five years for Impression Collection® doors have been magnificently engineered with an artfully molded wood-grain fiberglass surface concealing durable steel construction. Overhead Door (Hamilton-Burlington) Ltd. Impression Collection Showroom: 5450 HARVESTER RD. (West of Burloak) BURLINGTON 905-333-1772 · www.overheaddoorburlington.ca End Of The Roll's 20 OFF BRING IN THIS COUPON % AND GET... * when you purchase ou ted . Coupon must be presen h *See in store for details ed wit bin com be not Can se. at the time of purcha id September 30, 2016. Val any other offer; expires Rd) and vice Ser th Nor 10 (15 at the Burlington Dundas St W) Mississauga West (2273 s only. End Of The Roll location r in-stock area rugs Flooring Canadians for 30 years! PAY NO TAX BRING IN THIS COUPON . Coupon h *See in store for details Cannot be combined wit at the time of purchase. 30, 2016. Valid ber tem Sep ires exp r; any other offe North Service Rd) and at the Burlington (1510 73 Dundas St W) (22 t Wes a aug Mississ tions only. loca l Rol The Of End AND GET... * nt of the HST for you We will pay the equivale r in-stock flooring. when you purchase ou must be presented Brand Name Flooring. Low Prices. Always in Stock. ENDOFTHEROLL.COM Burlington | 1510 North Service Rd | 905.319.2299 Mississauga West | 2273 Dundas St W | 905.820.7655 No payment, no interest plans available OAC - *See store for details