Manitoba is to get $47-million of federal money over three years for a total of 1,400 new and newly-funded early learning and child care spaces.

"Of the 1,400 spots, there are 750 newly created spots and over 650 spots that parents and centres have been waiting for the subsidies," says Families Minister Scott Fielding.

The Manitoba government says during the three-year bilateral agreement its action plan aims to train up to 100 facilitators, providers, and facilities; certify up to 20 new rural or northern early childhood educators; increase the quality of temporary or casual child care offered by community organizations; pilot a new family group child care model for families from smaller and diverse communities; and pilot a service and funding approach focused on better meeting the support needs of about 700 children with disabilities.

Fielding says more project details will be released in the coming days, and he says this investment builds on the province's five-year plan, which will also be released in the coming weeks.

Member of Parliament for St. Boniface/St. Vital Dan Vandal also took part in today's announcement, on behalf of Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. Vandal says there will be more money down the road, referring to a ten-year child care commitment.

"$47-million for Manitoba is the first slice. So there's going to be a lot more coming to Manitoba over the course of the next seven years, once the first three years is done. We are committed to this 100 per cent," says Vandal.

About 17,000 kids in Manitoba are waiting for a child care spot to open up. Fielding calls this announcement a step in the right direction.