The Province of Manitoba has proposed Amendments to the Early Learning and Child Care Act that will END Enhanced Nursery School Operating Grants, and END the $5/day Child Care Fee for Manitoba Families - beginning as soon as THIS SEPTEMBER! We have until August 12th 2020 to oppose these amendments - please help by signing this Petition, and sharing this on social media!

The Enhanced Nursery School Operating Grant was created to support Manitoba’s commitment to Access, Affordability, and Quality. To ensure more access for ALL families: those who need part time early learning and child care, those who cannot afford full day nonprofit or part-time corporate/for-profit centre costs, and those who know the tremendous PROVEN benefits a high quality nursery school can provide their child! 

There are HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES AND CHILDREN in Manitoba right now counting on this Operating Grant!  Enhanced Nursery School is a CRUCIAL part of Manitoba’s Early Learning and Child Care Framework that we cannot afford to lose! 

They are threatening to end this Operating Grant AS SOON AS SEPTEMBER 2020 - giving mere WEEKS:

• for families to try to pay a 100%+ INCREASE to their Daily Fees! 
• for Centres to try to keep their doors open - the loss of this Grant is $10,000-$50,000 PER YEAR!

Most appalling - THIS IS BEING ATTEMPTED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC - WHEN QUALITY CHILD CARE HAS BEEN PROVEN ESSENTIAL TO MANITOBANS! The Province should be HELPING THE ELCC SECTOR right now; NOT CUTTING FUNDING! 

Right now ALL OTHER types of Manitoba child care centres can resume regular operations on September 1st; ALL EXCEPT THE 450+ NURSERY SCHOOLS! And now we know WHY! It is because they are trying to ELIMINATE AN ENTIRE TYPE OF FUNDED CHILD CARE CENTRES! 

Please sign this petition, letting the Minister of Families Heather Stefanson and the Premier Brian Pallister know that:

• $FISCAL SAVINGS$ COMING AT THE COST OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IS UNACCEPTABLE! 
• PULLING TENS OF THOUSANDS IN FUNDING TO CENTRES IS UNACCEPTABLE! 

Please EMAIL AND CALL YOUR MLA, THE MINISTER OF FAMILIES, and THE PREMIER!! A lone voice is not enough - but a COLLECTIVE YELL CAN ACHIEVE CHANGE!! You CAN help save this crucial programming for Manitoba’s children and families! 

Please SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA! #saveenhancednursery