NEWS1130
October 05, 2006
By: Maria Weisgarber

VANCOUVER - Parents in Vancouver who already pay hundreds of dollars each month for daycare spaces could see their fees climb even higher in the future. A city fund that provides subsidies for infant and toddler spaces is said to be unsustainable and advocates are wondering when the province will step in.

Only 144 of the hard to find spaces are subsidized by the Childcare Endowment Reserve, which currently stands at $5.8 million.

Parents pay anywhere from $900 to over $1,100 a month in fees. Maya Russell's baby is due in December and she's already on several daycare wait lists. She's not sure how her family will be able to manage the added monthly cost. Meanwhile, the province is believed to be sitting on $127 million in federal transfer money specifically meant for chid care and early learning. Sharon Gregson with the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC says it's more than a shame, it's disgusting. She adds the province is letting parents down.

Only three organizations in Vancouver qualify to receive money from the reserve. Gregson says the subsidy helps daycare operators keep their fees as low as possible but notes infant and toddler spaces are the most expensive to maintain.