WELLINGTON COUNTY – The County of Wellington’s Children’s Early Years Division is partnering with all 47 of Ontario’s Early Years and child care service system managers to launch a province-wide marketing campaign.
The campaign, which launched Jan. 16, is aimed at generating an increased understanding of, and support for, Ontario’s licensed child care sector.
“The importance of high-quality licensed child care to economic growth, children’s optimal development, and the success of women in the workforce, has long been known among professionals, researchers, and analysts in the sector,” said county social services administrator Luisa Artuso.
Common toolkit
“All 47 child care service system managers across the province have come together to create a common toolkit to share in their local communities.”
The goal of the campaign is to increase public awareness and provide key facts to ensure the province is able to maintain a stable early education system that is equitably available, accessible, and affordable, states a press release from the county.
“Quality child care supports the economy,” the release states.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted child care as an essential service that had to be sustained in order for emergency services to be offered throughout the pandemic, county officials state.
“Quality licensed child care will continue to play an important role in helping families and the economy rebound from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The release says quality child care is important for a child’s development and future success.
Continued development
“High-quality licensed child care provides Ontario’s children with safe, responsive, and caring interactions that helps children develop vital skills and build a strong foundation for their wellbeing and continued development to grow into healthy and productive adults.”
The release also points out Early Childhood Educators are essential for quality child care.
“Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) are trained professionals with expertise in child development. These professionals are a key element of quality child care and must be recognized, valued, and fairly compensated for the important role they play in the lives of children, families, and communities at large.”
Officials state that all communities need sufficient qualified and engaged Registered Early Childhood Educators to perform and deliver child care’s evidence-based early learning and child care benefits.
“We hope the public will learn more about the importance of high-quality licensed child care, engage with their local child care service manager, and advocate for ways to sustain the child care sector and acknowledge RECEs for the important work they do,” said Artuso.
