The Department of Education confirms more than 9,000 children between the ages of 1 and 5 are on the province’s Early Learning Gateway waitlist – but that doesn’t mean they’re all currently seeking child care services.

According to the department, the 9,152 children on the waitlist includes those already attending a regulated child care service, but who are kept on the waitlist as their family seeks a more suitable child care location.

The department says in other cases, some families may not have removed their child from the waitlist after successfully gaining a child care space.

The department says it’s currently refining the process to gain a more accurate understanding of children who do not have access to child care.