ACE National hosts virtual town hall on child care funding and access

ACE National is holding a free virtual town hall Sept. 24 to connect parents, families and child care operators ahead of child care agreement renewals. The event is meant to surface concerns about affordability, access, flexibility and workforce pressure in Canada’s child care system.

Why it matters: - Federal-provincial child care agreements are approaching renewal, putting child care policy back in focus for families and providers across Canada. - ACE National says the current system has not delivered the same level of access, flexibility and choice that lower fees were meant to create. - The town hall gives parents a direct forum to raise concerns about waitlists, program availability and the real cost of care.

What happened: - The Association of Canadian Early Learning Programs (ACE) is hosting a free virtual town hall titled “Parent Town Hall: Canada's Child Care Crisis. Let's Talk About Solutions.” - The event takes place Sept. 24 at 5:30 p.m. MST. - The town hall is open to parents, family members and child care operators across Canada. - ACE is positioning the event as a respectful discussion about what is working, what is not and what needs to change.

The details: - ACE says families continue to face long waitlists and a shortage of available spaces, even as child care fees have fallen in some settings. - The organization says funding has been uneven across part-time programs, preschools, home-based child care and other flexible options. - ACE says that leaves some families with fewer choices when their needs do not fit a traditional full-time care model. - ACE also points to workforce pressures, saying educators doing similar work can receive different wage enhancements and benefits depending on where they work. - The organization says the current funding model has not kept pace with the true cost of care, creating strain on providers nationwide. - Krystal Churcher, board chair and executive director of ACE, said parents deserve a real conversation about how the system is designed and funded. - Churcher said affordable child care only works if families can actually access it and that access should not come at the expense of choice or flexibility. - Registration is free through the event page.

Between the lines: - The event reflects a broader debate over whether Canada’s child care rollout is delivering on promises of affordability, accessibility, quality, inclusion and flexibility. - ACE is using the town hall to push the conversation beyond policy announcements and toward family experience. - The focus on flexible care options suggests pressure on policymakers to account for households that need part-time, home-based or nontraditional arrangements.

What's next: - Parents and child care operators are being asked to register and bring questions ahead of the Sept. 24 session. - The discussion is expected to inform advocacy around what governments should change as agreements come up for renewal. - ACE says it will continue pushing for a child care system that is sustainable, accessible and high quality for families across Canada.