Item - 2008.CD14.4

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.         This report along with the research findings from Toronto First Duty be forwarded to Dr. Charles Pascal, Special Advisor to the Premier on full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds.

2.         The City of Toronto ask to participate in consultations on full-day learning for four- and five-year-olds to inform the strategy development.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee:

1.         Referred the following to the General Manager, Children's Services, for consideration in the development of the City's position on this matter:

a.         proposed new Recommendation 3. from the Children's Services Advisory Committee:

"3.        Recommend to the Province of Ontario that a moratorium be imposed immediately by the Province on all school closures, and facility limiting decisions, based on funding formula shortfalls, or capital budget deficiencies resulting from excess spare calculations, so as to prevent a shortage of early childhood capacity in the school system prior to the introduction of this policy, and that the Province fund the cost of this moratorium; and that this be communicated to the Premier, the Minister of Education, the Minister of Community and Social Services and the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing."; and

 b.        "That while we support the initiative of the full day learning program, City Council urge the Province to ensure adequate funding to support the City’s Child Care system, such that the City is able to meet the child care needs of its residents."

2.         Requested the General Manager, Children's Services to report to the Children's Services Advisory Committee on a process for providing input into the policy on full-day learning for four- and five-year olds, such process to ensure input from other community stakeholders.