Improving access to child care in Waterloo Region

The federal government continues to work with provincial governments to fund more child care spaces across the country in an effort to reduce child care costs to $10 a day. On this episode of Your Region Pod, we’re going to look at the impact of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system (CWELCC) on families in Waterloo Region. 

So far, 3,725 spaces have opened through CWELCC, with another 411 coming by the end of 2026. The question is, now that we have the funding for these spaces, do we have enough educators to staff them? 

On this episode we sit down with experts from across the region and learn that as critical as this funding is, it only solves half the problem. Have a listen and let us know what you think on our social channels.

 Joining us on this episode:

• Barb Cardow, Director of Children`s Services, Region of Waterloo
• Kristine Parsons, Director of Operations, Rising Oaks Early Learning Ontario
• Carolyn Finlayson, Chair, Child Development & Education Studies, Conestoga College

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