Expansion strategies

Each province’s/territory’s action plans must include a commitment to developing a comprehensive expansion plan.

Expansion strategies must be publicly led and concrete

The development of new early learning and child care (ELCC) programs has largely been a private responsibility in Canada, an approach that has been ineffective in ensuring adequate supply or equitable distribution. Public expansion strategies have led successful expansion in countries with well-developed child care systems.

Comprehensive expansion plans should include common elements

Although provincial/territorial expansion plans are likely to vary according to the jurisdiction’s situation, some elements must be included across the board:

Targets and timetables for meeting coverage goals;
A capital planning and funding process to meet expansion targets;
Integration of ELCC into public planning processes at all levels, such as local planning for affordable housing or schools;
Strategies for expanding ELCC in existing and new publicly owned buildings and properties, and on publicly owned land;
Strategies for ensuring that publicly funded capital assets, regardless of where they are developed or who develops them, remain in public hands;
Designation of a local or regional public entity that assumes responsibility for ELCC planning, including ensuring that new public and non-profit facilities are developed, managing data collection, ensuring public reporting, and liaising with provincial/territorial officials to meet expansion targets and timetables;
Mechanisms for data collection, research, evaluation, and reporting on all aspects of expansion.