The Ministry of Education is removing some red tape to allow some before and after school programs to operate for more than three hours a day.
Currently, programs offered at the YMCA, at the Boys and Girls Clubs, or through municipalities can only operate for three hours a day, making them impractical for many working parents.
"We are making child care more affordable for parents, improving safety for children, and reducing red tape for child care operators. Our government appreciates the challenges families are facing these days and we are committed to doing everything we can to reduce their burden," said Minister of Education Stephen Lecce.
Allowing the programs to operate for longer periods of time gives parents with early, late, or irregular hours more options for child care.
"The regulatory amendments under the Child Care and Early Years Act that exempt certain authorized recreation providers from the three-hour rule will remove financial and emotional strain and provide more options for quality, affordable, and safe before and after school care. Putting families first is critical as we grapple with COVID-19 and look to equitable recovery," said Owen Charters with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.
The Ministry of Education also announced further health and safety measures for licensed childcare settings and home-based child care settings. These will help support contract tracing by local public health units. The Ministry has also updated regulations on the safe storage of potentially poisonous and hazardous items within child care settings.
The amendments will come into effect on March 8, 2021.