Daycare opportunities won't increase for $100
Penticton Herald
31 Oct 2006
Letter -- By: Michelle Allin and Jason Stevens

Dear Editor,

We are writing in response to Robert Zandee's letter regarding daycare.

Just out of curiosity how exactly does $100 a month (which is taxed) actually create daycare spots? How does this increase my choice in child care when there is an extreme shortage of qualified daycare providers and early childhood educators in our area? What is misleading is the government's attempts to tell us this will magically create this choice and spots instead of using resources and time to really do so.

Mr. Zandee's comments on daycare centres being institutions that are not needed shows how little this government is in touch with the average working parent. A daycare centre provides an environment where daycare providers have accountability and support with their peers. There are fewer closures to disrupt working families' lives.

"Institutional childcare environment . . . does not build a strong family unit, and above all is not good for children," Mr. Zandee said. Um, Mr. Zandee, school is an institution -- I guess this is not good for our children either. Early socialization not good for children? Where are you getting your information from?

Going back to work is an extremely hard decision to make. This government is making it even harder on parents as it has slashed the funding that would have really created spaces.