Child Care Infrastructure Fund Allocation & Directed Growth Plan Update - Issue Report

Report To: Program Planning Committee

From:            Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services and
                          Amy Winnington-Ingram, Integrated Human Services Manager

Date:            October 15, 2025

Re:                 Child Care Infrastructure Fund Allocation & Directed Growth Plan Update - Issue Report

Purpose

To present recommendations to the Board regarding the allocation of the $1.5M Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Infrastructure Fund to support community-based licensed child care expansions from 2024–2026, and to provide an updated Directed Growth Plan. that reflects operational realities, demographic trends, and provider readiness. The revised Directed Growth Plan has been endorsed by the Manitoulin-Sudbury Network for Children and Families, confirming system-level support and alignment with local priorities. The plan reflects operation realities, demographic trends and provider readiness.

Background

The Directed Growth Plan, embedded within the Early Years and Child Care Service System Plan, uses Q1–Q2 2025 licensed child care data (ages 0-5), including capacity, enrollment, waitlists, and input from both parents and providers. The provincial CWELCC recalibration process has ensured that space creation targets reflect regional demand, workforce availability, and barriers to access, while reflecting on-the-ground operational realities.

Findings confirm that Sudbury East and Manitoulin remain the highest-priority regions due to persistent waitlists, limited operational capacity, and strong demand for infant, toddler, and preschool spaces. Infrastructure funding is restricted to community-based sites; while school-based expansions remain part of the overall growth strategy, they are not eligible for these funds. Provider data shows modest waitlist reductions following reviews, yet staffing shortages and partial room closures continue to reduce operational capacity below licensed levels. Across the district, access rates remain uneven, with only LaCloche meeting or exceeding the provincial 37% benchmark. Importantly, licensed spaces do not always translate into meaningful access for families.

Regional Child Care Access Summary Ages 0–5
(Source: Service System Plan, 2021 Census population data), (Q1–Q2 enrollment 2025)
 

This data confirms that waitlist pressures remain highest in Manitoulin and Sudbury East, while LaCloche consistently exceeds the provincial access target. Sudbury North remains relatively stable, with modest waitlists and consistent utilization. The picture demonstrates that licensed spaces alone do not guarantee access, as staffing and operational constraints limit the availability of spaces in high-need areas.

Directed Growth Plan Highlights

The revised plan allocates 90 spaces in total, including 81 net new community-based licensed spaces and nine spaces reserved for home child care. Priority locations will be confirmed by December 2025, and all feasible expansion options will be explored. Non-profit operators will be supported, and staffing and operational readiness will be closely monitored to ensure that new spaces translate into actual access for families.

Allocation by Community

While spaces are categorized as school-based or community-based, allocations may be adjusted as viable opportunities emerge. This flexibility ensures the plan can adapt to operator readiness, available space, and evolving community needs.

Recommendation

That the Board approve the Child Care Infrastructure Fund Allocation & Directed Growth Plan Update, as endorsed by the Manitoulin-Sudbury Network for Children and Families.