Bruce County’s Human Services Department says that they have a growing list of families waiting to have their children placed into the county’s childcare programs.
In a new report that was shared at a committee meeting on August 3rd, the department says that in the second quarter of 2023, they had a total of 1589 active applications for child care, which is 330 more applications than Q2 of 2022.
The county says that a major issue for placing children is a shortage of early childhood educators, in combination with an increase in demand.
Bruce County is continuing co-lead the Bruce Grey Registered Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Recruitment and Retention Working Group.
The group also includes membership and support from local colleges, boards of education, and workplace engagement services to implement recruiting and retention strategies.
Child care programs that are run by the county include fee subsidy support for families with income levels below $40,000 per year, their Special Needs Resource Program, and the EarlyON Child and Family Programs.
