Lanark County council is set to decide whether to adopt a new priority system for placing children in subsidized child-care spaces.
The proposed policy is intended to make access to publicly funded child care more transparent and consistent as demand for affordable spaces continues to rise.
County staff say there are about 2,800 children on the centralized child-care waiting list.
Director of Social Services Emily Hollington offered the harsh reality.
Officials stress that the figure does not necessarily mean those children have no child care, as some families are relying on relatives, home-based providers or paying full fees while waiting for a more affordable option.
Under the proposed system, which council expressed support and are expected to approve, siblings of children already enrolled would remain a priority. The policy would also address access for families eligible for fee subsidies and child-care employees.
Staff say giving priority to child-care workers can help recruit and retain employees at centres struggling to fill positions.
Councillor Andrew Tennant said filling child-care spaces up for staff remains a challenge, which leads to a bigger concern.
A shortage of staff can force centres to operate classrooms below capacity because required staffing ratios must be met.
