Mario Sergio, M.P.P.





Releases Speeches Bills Statements and Questions Member Speaks Out!!	For Immediate Release July 11, 2008 Increasing Access To High Quality Child Care McGuinty Government Helping More Families With The Cost Of Child Care Ontario is helping make high-quality child care more affordable for families in Toronto as part of a new $25 million investment. The McGuinty government will provide $23 million in financial assistance to help more families benefit from high-quality licensed child care. This includes $5,858,908 in funding to help families in Toronto, including York West, to send their kids to licensed care providers. Licensed providers have to meet health, safety and caregiver training standards that are enforced by the government. “This is much welcomed news for the families in York West who are in need of daycare. Many new families and a large youth population make their home in York West and this funding will assist them in finding and maintaining safe and secure childcare,” MPP Mario Sergio said. Eligibility for the financial assistance is based on net family income. For example, a family with a net income below $20,000 can receive full child care assistance. A family receiving financial child care assistance with a net income of $40,000 will pay approximately $8 per day. Parents can apply for the financial assistance through their municipality for children up to age 12. The government is also investing $2 million province-wide to create new child care spaces in French-language schools. Making child care more affordable builds on the McGuinty government’s commitment to develop a poverty reduction strategy that will expand opportunities for children and low-income families so they can reach their full potential and contribute to a strong economy. “Making sure more families have access to affordable, high-quality child care for their kids helps increase opportunities for the entire family,” said Children and Youth Services Minister Deb Matthews. “It means that children benefit from a quality early learning environment – and it helps hardworking parents balance the demands of work and family.” -30- For more information contact: Mario Sergio, M.P.P. York West (416) 585-7007