NEWS frovincial framework ‘transformative and bold": Naidooâ€"Hamis According to the Province, the framework reflects feedback the ministry received during engagement sessions held in 20 communities across Ontario, 15 roundtables with the early years sector and more than 6,000 responses to an online survey. The framework presents seven specific action items, which include: * Increasing access to early years and child care programs and services; * Ensuring a more affordable early years and childâ€"care system for families; * Establishing an early years workforce stratâ€" egy to support early childhood educators, inâ€" cluding two professional development events per year; + Determining a provincial definition of qualâ€" ity when it comes to child care; + Developing an approach to promoting incluâ€" sion in early years and child care settings, takâ€" ing into account needs like autism, mentalâ€" health challenges and cultural sensitivities; * Creating an outcomes and measurement strategy to track results in the early years and child care system; * Increasing public awareness of Ontario‘s earâ€" ly years and child care system and the options that are available. As part of the framework, the Province also intends to launch an expertâ€"led affordability j Conl L'\\i('ll HI 4i "What we are doing is really creating a blueprint to build a foundation for quality, accessible, affordable licensed child care," said Halton MPP Indira Naidooâ€"Harris, the minister responsible for early years and child care. Champion file photo strategy to identify options to further reduce child care costs and review the current fundâ€" ing approach to child care. "Overall, we recognize that our plan is transâ€" formative and bold," said Naidooâ€"Harris, notâ€" ing that details of the framework were reâ€" leased to childâ€"care providers earlier in the | l.nnlmmugll Ontano www.dragonsfire golf.com day and the "response was overwhelmingly positive." "Those who work in the sector understand what we‘re doing and why we‘re doing it." But criticisms of the Province‘s announceâ€" ment quickly flowed as well, with Ontario > NDP early years and child care critic Catheâ€" ung Aepsiny1 | gz ® rine Fife issuing a statement calling it a pube- 5 licity stunt by a Liberal government more | , T 0 concerned about its political fortunes ahead 0 of next year‘s election than about the urgent needs of families." DON‘T LOSE U COOL! Let Us Repair Your Vehicle‘s Air Conditioning! .l We are now an Accredited Ontario Drive MEA AlITO SEAVICE =»= 715 Main Street €. Milton * 876â€"31 48 eronr ies The GTA‘s most award winning golf course luxum«» l Clean Test and Repair Facility for all your Emission Needs. 1069 loll Free 1â€"877 * Tuneâ€"Ups * Brake Service * Steering & Suspension * MOT Safety Inspection * Computer Diagnostics * Tires * Air Conditioning Service * Auto Electric and Charging Systems * General Repairs For theâ€"Ai We Breathe NOe | ++â€"4 < U €* 818â€"0808 =~g | NOLIdWVHJI N