Listening to Care: Understanding the Impacts of Ontario’s Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System
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Authors
Lee-Yow, Cheryl
Date
2024-07-22
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Early Childhood Education and Care , Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System , Childcare , Operators
Alternative Title
Abstract
In response to the growing issue of childcare affordability, the significant shortage of registered early childhood educators, and the lack of early learning childcare centre availability, the federal government implemented the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system. The purpose of this research was to investigate the implementation decisions and process of opting-in to the CWELCC system in Ontario, and to explore the experiences of early childhood education and care (ECEC) operators as they navigate the CWELCC objectives of affordability, accessibility, inclusivity, quality, and flexibility. A mixed-methods questionnaire was sent to Ontario ECEC operators and data was collected from September-October 2023. The quantitative data included responses from 68 participants and the qualitative data included responses from 53 participants. Their perspectives and experiences were analyzed both inductively and deductively to examine if the system objectives were being met in Ontario. The analysis of the responses revealed the perceptions of Ontario ECEC operators regarding the implementation thus far. These perceptions included: the responsibility to families, supporting the workforce, the uncertainty of the agreement, the fear of future impacts, the concerns and challenges of navigating the system, the critiques of the implementation process, and the acknowledgment for potential positive outcomes of the system. Overall, participants shared that the objectives of the system were not being met in Ontario as the agreement proposed. The thesis concludes with implications, how the operators are navigating the implementation process, and future research recommendations.