Future of childcare subsidies unclear after June
Vancouver Island News Group - Duncan News Leader
11 Oct 2006

Different plan: Providers concerned about cancellation of federal funding

Early child-care advocates and parents in B.C. can be assured subsidies will continue until the end of this school year.

After that, doubt and fear take over.

"We have assurance until the end of March," Mary Dolan said. "What happens at the end of June?"

Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid sent a letter to all child-care providers in the province earlier this month assuring the current Child Care Subsidy Program will continue to the end of the school year.

In September 2005 the province increased the subsidy threshold from $21,000 to $38,000 due to federal funding, but a cancellation of the federal early learning and childcare agreement followed the election, cutting $455 million to B.C. in federal funding.

In its place the federal government is giving families $100 a month per child under age six, in addition to incentives valued at $10,000 for newly created child-care spaces.

"I'm concerned the wool is being pulled over parents' eyes," Dolan said. "It's true, there's a great need for new spaces and we all have waiting lists but without operating funds, how are we going to sustain them?"

Dolan says there are better systems across the country then B.C.'s way of delivering childcare funding, pointing to Quebec as a leader.

"Parents can't pay $600, $700, $800 per month for child care. It's like another mortgage," Dolan said.

"In Quebec they pay $140. I'd like to see B.C. look to the Quebec model, make changes and become a leader in child care."

Dolan believes change to the delivery will happen when the government is educated on what quality early childhood education means.

"The goal is to provide warm, stimulating environments that are inclusive of all children," she said. "It's a far cry from institutionalization."

Dolan is encouraging parents to contact B.C.'s committee on finance and government as it consults on issues for the 2007 budget.

"I hope the community gets involved and puts high quality early learning as a priority to save money in the future," she said.