KAWARTHA LAKES-Ayson Truax, Manager of Children’s Services, presented an update on Child Care Expansion and Directed Growth to council.
The Child Care Expansion and Directed Growth Plan Update (2025) explains how Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton are working to add more licensed childcare spaces for children up to age five. The province first set an initial goal of 443 new spaces. After changes and a centre closure, the total target is now 448 new spaces between 2022 and 2026. Officials say so far, most of these spaces are either open, under construction, or planned. If all proposed projects move ahead, the area could reach 91% of its target.
Several new childcare centres are opening in communities like Lindsay, Kirkfield, and Haliburton. These projects are fully funded by the Ministry of Education, but they must be finished and operational by the end of 2026. The province has also changed how it funds daily childcare operations, helping keep parent fees capped at $22 per day.
The updated plan focuses on building childcare in areas with the greatest need. Priority communities include Fenelon Falls, Dunsford, Haliburton, Coboconk/Norland, Woodville, Oakwood, and Pontypool. The goal is to support families, help parents return to work, and strengthen the local economy.
Click here for a look at the full plan:https://pub-kawarthalakes.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=88166
