Child Care Is Community Infrastructure.
Affordable care only works if a family can actually find a licensed space. My focus is making access gaps visible, planning capacity alongside growth, and using the right level of government for each issue.
The system is difficult to understand and the number of spaces families can actually access can be lower than the number licensed on paper.
Families experience the problem as a wait for care. Operators experience it through staffing, funding rules and expansion barriers. Better decisions require both sides of that picture.
The Child Care Action Plan
Make Access Gaps Visible
Push for clear information on demand, operating capacity and pressure points by age group and growing neighbourhood so planning is tied to actual need.
Plan Capacity Alongside Growth
When major development and growth are planned, ask how child care demand is being considered and where viable opportunities for licensed spaces can be supported.
Keep Workforce Challenges on the Agenda
Recruitment and retention of qualified educators directly affects how many licensed spaces can actually operate. Bring provider and educator feedback into Peel Regional discussions and advocate to the Province where the policy tools sit outside municipal authority.
Listen to Parents, Educators and Operators
Use focused consultations or roundtables so decisions include the people finding care, delivering care and managing licensed programs.
Clarify Who Is Responsible for What
Child care crosses municipal, Regional, provincial and federal responsibilities. The councillor’s office should help residents understand where the decision sits and advocate at the right table.
Track Child Care Commitments Publicly
Add material Ward 10 child care issues and Regional advocacy items to the Results Dashboard so residents can see what was raised, where it stands and what happens next.
What Progress Should Look Like
Gaps Are Visible
Residents can see where access or capacity pressure has been identified and what level of government is responsible.
Specific Requests
Regional or provincial advocacy is tied to a defined problem rather than broad statements about supporting child care.
Public Status
Material child care commitments appear on the Results Dashboard with status and next step.