Ontario parents will see child-care fees remain steady for at least another year after the province reached a one-year extension with the federal government for the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program.
According to The Canadian Press, the deal , provides Ontario with $695 million in additional federal funding to maintain the average daily child-care cost at $19. The agreement gives families short-term certainty but leaves questions about long-term funding as the province works toward the national goal of $10-a-day care.
Our Munchkin play place (Credit: Theodore Ramharack XFM News)
In London, Shantanu and Nikita Patil, co-founders of Our Munchkin Childcare and STEM Preschool say the program is essential for families and operators alike. Their facility, which opened in February 2025 and serves about 80 children, has been waiting to be accepted into the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system.
“Our journey started because we couldn’t find a daycare spot for our own son,” said Shantanu Patil. “We realized how big this problem was for other families, so we decided to create a space that blends early education with STEM learning.”
He said joining the federal-provincial child-care program would make their centre’s services more accessible.
“We’ve connected with hundreds of families over the past year,” he said. “Being part of CWELCC would help make child care affordable and accessible for all, especially for families in London.”
Nikita Patil, who supervises the centre and holds a master’s degree in teaching from the University of Toronto, said the one-year extension is welcome news even if temporary.
“For the next 12 months, I think it will help as many families as it can,” she said. “Even if it’s for a year, that makes a huge difference. But I do believe the funding will extend further because this program really changes lives.”
If additional funding became available, she said, her first priority would be investing in professional development for staff.
“If your educators are at their A-game in terms of skill and resources, that growth reflects directly on the children,” she said. “When our staff grow, the kids thrive.”
Entrance way (Credit: Theodore Ramharack XFM News)
The husband and wife duo say their vision goes beyond affordability, it’s about creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity from a young age.
“The biggest joy for us is seeing how kids progress and develop through the months they’re here,” said Nikita. “We want to build a passion for learning that stays with them as they grow.”
Shantanu said that seeing families find stability through child care is what motivates their work.
“When a mom comes to us desperately looking for a spot so she can return to work, providing that care brings peace of mind and prosperity to the family,” he said. “Programs like CWELCC make that possible.”
Despite the uncertainty around long-term funding, the couple remains optimistic.
“This program is good for the public,” Shantanu said. “It’s making child care accessible for everyone, and that’s why we believe it will continue beyond 2026.”
