Nursery schools provide valuable early learning opportunities for preschoolers, and alternative part time childcare option for families. Funding for Nursery School programs was cut by the Manitoba government in the 1990s and never reinstated.

With the cut in funding, Nursery Schools have struggled to stay afloat. Child care workers earn less employed in Nursery Schools than when working in child care centres (daycares). Many Nursery Schools fundraise to cover basic costs of staff salaries, craft supplies and other essential materials.

We are signing this petition to request that the Manitoba Provincial Government change the current funding formula for Nursery Schools. Provincial funding for Nursery Schools should be on par with funding provided to Child Care Centres (daycares). The current funding model is out-of-date, and discriminates against part time programs, Nursery School staff, and families with part time working parents. A child attending 4 hours in a Nursery School program should receive the same amount of funding as a child attending 4 hours in a Child Care Centre (daycare).