ACE urges Ontario to use existing child care spaces in affordability push

The Association of Canadian Early Learning Programs is pressing Ontario to widen its child care strategy beyond new construction after a Queen’s Park rally on affordability and access. ACE says bringing licensed existing programs into CWELCC could move families off waitlists faster and use public dollars more efficiently.

Why it matters: - ACE says Ontario families are still struggling to find affordable child care, even after five years of CWELCC and major public spending. - The group says using licensed programs already operating in communities could expand access faster than building new centres. - The approach could help families on waitlists and make better use of public funding where staffed vacancies already exist.

What happened: - Following the Care Counts rally at Queen’s Park, the Association of Canadian Early Learning Programs called for a broader Ontario child care strategy. - ACE asked provincial and municipal leaders to examine every practical option for improving affordability, access and workforce stability. - Krystal Churcher, ACE’s executive director, said governments should explain how they are using licensed child care programs already in communities before asking Ontarians to fund more construction. - ACE pointed to City of Toronto figures showing 134 licensed child care centres outside CWELCC as of July 2, 2025. - The total included 44 non-profit centres and 90 for-profit centres.

The details: - ACE’s 10-Point Plan calls for structural reforms to use public funding more effectively, reduce administrative burdens, support the workforce and preserve a diverse range of child care options. - One proposal would allow fee subsidies to follow eligible children into licensed non-CWELCC centres, capped at CWELCC-equivalent rates. - Other proposals address workforce stabilization and barriers to expansion where community need is demonstrated. - ACE says bringing eligible existing programs into CWELCC would extend affordability to children already attending those centres. - ACE also says the same move could open spots for families waiting for care where vacancies exist. - Existing programs would still require operating funding. - ACE says using current infrastructure could avoid the cost and delay of new construction. - Churcher said families are paying taxes into a system many still cannot access while also paying full fees or going without care. - Churcher also said educators need fair compensation and programs need stable funding to deliver quality care.

Between the lines: - ACE is challenging the idea that new construction should be the main answer to Ontario’s access problem. - The group is pushing for a more immediate supply-side fix by making use of licensed spaces already in place. - The message also signals concern that public investment has not translated evenly into actual access for parents. - ACE is framing child care access as both a funding question and a delivery question.

What's next: - ACE is urging decision-makers to assess existing licensed programs willing and able to participate in CWELCC. - The group wants governments to review available spaces and identify barriers keeping current providers out of the program. - ACE is also asking parents, educators and operators to be part of the policy conversation. - More information on ACE’s plan is available here.