Tories' child care plan has some parents concerned
The Daily News (Nanaimo)
23 June 2006
By: Martha Tropea
EXCERPT

Some Nanaimo child care professionals are in tune with Canadian poll results favouring a Liberal versus Conservative childcare plan.

The Environics poll, commissioned by a child care advocacy group, found 50% of respondents preferred a national, accessible learning program such as the model promised by the former Liberal government.

Only 35% preferred the Conservative model that will see Parents with children under the age of six receive a $1,200 annual Allowance per child.

"We believe in universal child care," said Shirley Phillips, executive director of PacificCARE, a child resource and referral program in Nanaimo. "It provides access for every child."

Early childhood development liaison Carmen Barclay said $1,200 doesn't come close to paying for annual care.

"Maybe $1,200 a month for two kids," she said.

As a mother of a 10-month-old girl, Corinne Dunn said the Money would be "handy." But, as owner and operator of Jungle Boogie Child Care Centre, Dunn knows the $1,200 is not enough to offset care costs.

Child care in Nanaimo can start at $600 a month.

Parents have already come to Dunn with concerns, she said. They're worried Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government Will replace subsidies with the lump sum payment.

"No one knows what he's planning to do or expecting parents to do with the money," Dunn said.

Dorina Zuback, owner and operator of Small Wonders Too Day Care, said Harper's plan does "absolutely nothing" for her.