No one really expected much in the way of new money to be announced for programs in the Liberals’ throne speech Tuesday….

One of the biggest ticket items, optional full-day kindergarten for five year olds, will be rolled out within the next two years. That’s a relief for parents envisioning their future need for half-day child care, not to mention a flexible work situation for at least one parent.

Wait lists for daycare have been long in the Capital Region for some time, in part due to a lack of funding to staff such operations, and partially because of the large number of families with young children.

If the government follows through on this promise, it will alleviate a certain portion of those wait lists. But those working parents waiting patiently for that precious space to open up for their younger toddlers could remain on the outside looking in.

Ironically, taking five year olds out of the loop for some daycare operations could undermine their already shaky profitability. Provincial regulations for that age group require less supervision – less staff – than they do for younger age groups (more staff).

The government did, however, announce it would be pursuing partnerships with the private sector to establish more neighbourhood preschools. Exactly how that might materialize is anyone’s guess, but we hope that existing preschools and daycares get first crack at any new business….