Ontario is failing to recognize the needs of poorer families in growing areas like Simcoe County, where the waiting list for subsidized daycare has nearly reached 1,200 children, county officials say.

In June 2007, the county had to set up a waiting list for its subsidized daycare program – and as of June 30, there were 1,184 children on the list.

On July 9, Ontario announced $25 million in additional funding for fee subsidies – and the region’s share is $651,690 – a share that some politicians say fails to recognize a growing population with more children. The grant will fund 170 spots, and reduce wait list to 1,014.

“We will still have over 1,000 children on the waiting list. That is abysmal,” said Clearview Township Deputy Mayor Alicia Savage.

“We hear it in the community all the time. There are lots of stories (about a lack of affordable, quality child care.) We don’t want to blame others; we want to find solutions.”

Simcoe County is looking for support from other growing municipalities in an attempt to push the province into recognizing growth pressures on children’s services.

“It appears that when these (provincial) announcements are made, the growth areas do not receive the kind of funding that reflects the growth,” said Orillia Coun. Joe Fecht, a member of the county’s Human Services Committee.

“You’re always thankful for the additional funding, but there are needs going unaddressed.”

The county is also struggling with special-needs resources in the preschool system – funding that assists in providing resource teachers in nursery schools and daycare centres, as well as speech therapists and physiotherapists. More than 600 children are on that waiting list.

Ontario Early Years Centres in the region are also struggling to meet demand, the county noted, and they too face funding challenges, said Orillia Coun. Don Evans.