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New Child Care Services Act Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, said today that a new Child Care Services Act which was recently passed in the House of Assembly, will greatly enhance services to children and address longstanding concerns of parents, child care providers and others knowledgeable in the field of Early Childhood Education. The new Child Care Services Act will replace the Day Care and Homemaker Services Act. It will provide improvements to accessibility and quality of child care. Minister Aylward said: "The new act is reflective of the need for change and includes very relevant and valued input from the community. The change is a very positive one in that it will allow us to improve our standards to reflect the national child care standards." The Day Care and Homemaker Services Act had been targeted for change by many groups since early 1990 and as a result the Early Childhood Services Advisory Committee was established. The group included a wide range of representation. "Virtually all groups involved in child care have been consulted in order to develop this new act," said the minister. "The change is a result of a partnership between government and numerous community groups throughout the province. It demonstrates government's willingness to work with communities to develop new ways to improve the current child care system." Many of the enhancements identified in these consultations will be funded through the new National Child Benefit (NCB) initiative. These enhancements will include licensed day care for children 0 to two years old, family home child care, family resource centres and youth networks. The minister said that the NCB initiative and the new act represent government's continued commitment to children and families. "We will continue to respond to problems within the community with a prevention and early intervention approach in order to provide a safe, healthy environment and a brighter future for our children." Contact: Glenn Bruce, Communications, (709) 729-1377. 1998 06 19 2:00 p.m.
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