New funding is available for licensed child care operators and early years programs across Ontario to help support enhanced cleaning costs as well as health and safety requirements.

The provincial government set aside $234.6 million as part of the Safe Restart Agreement to help reopen child care at full capacity in September, said Premier Doug Ford.

The additional funding will help child care operators, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, and First Nations Child and Family Programs increase cleaning and infection control, ensure staff have access to personal protective equipment, promote physical distancing, purchase additional cleaning supplies, and support staffing needs.

“We are investing more in child care to ensure it is safe, accessible and affordable for working moms and dads,” said Minister of Education Stephen Lecce. “This agreement will ensure funding continues to flow so that child care remains available to parents as they return to work today and into the future.”

On July 30, the government announced child care centres, including before and after school programs, and early years programs across the province would be able to open at full capacity starting September 1, 2020. Guidance documents to support reopening child care and early years programs will be available shortly.

Families whose children attended a licensed child care centre immediately before the emergency was declared must be given at least 14 days’ notice to accept a placement available on or after September 1.