Regulation - LGIC
Proposed Regulatory Change to O. Reg. 138/15 (Funding, Cost Sharing and Financial Assistance) under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
Regulation Number(s):
O. Reg 138/15: Funding, Cost Sharing and Financial Assistance
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
Summary of Proposal:
Families in need of financial assistance to access child care in their area of residence can apply to their service system manager for a fee subsidy. The cost of this program is shared by the provincial and federal government, service system managers, and First Nations communities.
The Ministry of Education is seeking feedback on a proposed draft amendment to a regulation under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014. The proposed change would require service system managers to process applications for financial assistance with the cost of a child care service based on the date the application was received and to work cross-jurisdictionally to facilitate access to care, if necessary and in accordance with any policies regarding the prioritization of applications.
To complement this proposed regulatory change, the ministry would amend Ontario's Policy Statement: Access to Subsidized Child Care, to provide service system managers with guidance on operationalizing the change.
The change would affect licensed child care programs, service system managers, parents and families.
The Ministry of Education is seeking feedback on a proposed draft amendment to a regulation under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014. The proposed change would require service system managers to process applications for financial assistance with the cost of a child care service based on the date the application was received and to work cross-jurisdictionally to facilitate access to care, if necessary and in accordance with any policies regarding the prioritization of applications.
To complement this proposed regulatory change, the ministry would amend Ontario's Policy Statement: Access to Subsidized Child Care, to provide service system managers with guidance on operationalizing the change.
The change would affect licensed child care programs, service system managers, parents and families.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The proposed amendment would apply to for-profit (large and small-sized businesses) and not-for-profit organizations equally, in both licensed child care centre and home-based child care settings, as well as to service system managers and parents.
Barriers to access for parents seeking assistance for care outside of home service areas may be reduced. Administrative burden and costs may increase for service system managers to administer cross-jurisdictional subsidies, particularly for non-enrolled Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system programs. Budgets for fee subsidy are capped and the change may create wait lists.
The change would also continue to complement non-regulatory tools such as transfer payment agreements and funding guidelines.
Barriers to access for parents seeking assistance for care outside of home service areas may be reduced. Administrative burden and costs may increase for service system managers to administer cross-jurisdictional subsidies, particularly for non-enrolled Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system programs. Budgets for fee subsidy are capped and the change may create wait lists.
The change would also continue to complement non-regulatory tools such as transfer payment agreements and funding guidelines.
Further Information:
O. Reg. 138/15: FUNDING, COST SHARING AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Proposal Number:
23-EDU008
Posting Date:
June 14, 2023
Comments Due Date:
July 29, 2023
Contact Address:
Programs and Service Integration Branch
Ministry of Education
11th Floor, 315 Front Street West
Toronto, ON
M7A 0B8
Ministry of Education
11th Floor, 315 Front Street West
Toronto, ON
M7A 0B8