Child care plan targets Kawartha Lakes’ high-need communities

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: Families across Kawartha Lakes could soon see more licensed child care spaces in their own neighbourhoods, as municipal leaders map out how to meet provincial growth targets while navigating tight timelines and funding uncertainty.

At a recent Committee of the Whole meeting, Alyson Truax, Manager of Human Services for the City of Kawartha Lakes, presented the 2025 Child Care Expansion and Directed Growth Plan update. The plan outlines how Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton are working to add more licensed spaces for children aged 0 to 5 under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.

“The goal is simple,” Ms. Truax told councillors. “We want families to be able to find affordable, licensed child care in their own communities, especially in areas where the data shows the greatest need.”

The province originally set a target of 443 new spaces between 2022 and 2026. After missed targets in 2023 and the closure of a local centre, the revised cumulative five-year target now stands at 448 spaces. Ms. Truax reported 324 spaces, just over 72 percent, are already achieved or underway. If proposed projects proceed, the municipality could reach 409 spaces, or 91 percent of the provincial allocation.

Three approved expansion projects in Kawartha Lakes alone will add 176 new spaces by the end of 2026. Additional projects are also moving forward in Haliburton County, including a new 73-space centre in Haliburton village and expanded home child care in Minden.

Still, Ms. Truax cautioned, growth comes with challenges.

“All projects must be operational by December 31st, [in] 2026, or the funding is rescinded, regardless of how close they are to completion,” she said. “Construction delays, rezoning processes and licensing requirements are real risks for our service providers.”

In 2025, the Ministry of Education allocated more than $2.48 million in infrastructure funding and $1.68 million in start-up funding locally to support expansion. However, five service providers requested more than $8.6 million in total funding, far exceeding available dollars.

While capital builds grab headlines, Ms. Truax emphasized operational funding stability is equally important. As of January 1st, parent fees for licensed child care in Ontario are capped at $22 per day. The province’s new cost-based funding model now provides stable operational funding directly to service providers, replacing the earlier “top-up” model that relied on frozen 2022 market rates.

For 2025, Kawartha Lakes received more than $14.1 million in cost-based funding. That figure rises to $17.2 million in 2026. The municipality contributes about two percent toward total operational funding as service manager.

“There is significant uncertainty beyond 2026,” Ms. Truax noted, referencing ongoing negotiations between provincial and federal governments on the future of the CWELCC agreement. “We need timely confirmation of funding and program parameters so we can plan responsibly.”

The updated Directed Growth Plan uses detailed census and socioeconomic data to identify priority neighbourhoods. Areas considered “child care deserts” with fewer than three spaces per 10 children are given particular attention.

Top priority communities are Fenelon Falls, Dunsford, Haliburton, the Coboconk/Norland area, Woodville, Oakwood and Pontypool. Fenelon Falls, in particular, is expected to see sustained growth through 2051 under municipal growth projections.

“Child care expansion supports our local economy,” Ms. Truax said. “It allows parents to participate in the workforce and supports more than 300 early childhood educators and staff working across our licensed system.”

Council received the report and endorsed the 2025 Directed Growth Plan for submission to the Ministry of Education. The recommendation will come forward for final approval at an upcoming regular council meeting.