Investing in the future
Surrey Leader
Feb 02 2007
EXCERPT

It's said children are our future. So we have to ask, why aren't we investing fully in that future? Last week, The Leader learned the provincial government is slashing the child care services budget at OPTIONS: Services to Communities Society, by $900,000.

If you're a parent who has ever had to find child care, you've likely used OPTIONS' referral service.

It works like this: a parent calls or e-mails the ages of their children, what days and times child care are required to OPTIONS and, within a day or two, a list of all the registered day care providers in the neighbourhood potentially suiting those needs is provided.

The parent then investigates available space and meets with the caregivers to secure the best arrangement.

As of this fall, parents won't have that resource.

They'll have to rely on word of mouth, and makeshift solutions such as striking deals with neighbours or grandparents, having latch-key kids that take care of themselves (and maybe even younger siblings) after school. Some parents may have to leave the workforce altogether.

The financial cuts will also affect the bottom line for day care owners, who are wondering how they'll replace not only the valuable resources available at OPTIONS, but the referral service.

If day care costs go up, they'll inevitably filter down to parents.

Arguably, the $100 per month federal child care direct payment (which the majority of Canadians opted for by electing the Conservatives) can be used to cover increased child care costs. The reality, however, is that even with just one child in daycare full-time, the actual tab for parents can top $800 per month. Two kids and the cost approaches $1,600. More children than that and one parent might as well stay home.

That's assuming a day care with available space can even be found. The vacancy rate at local day cares is almost non-existent. Parents are already putting their kids on waiting lists before they're born, and last week's funding news negatively impacts the opening of new spaces. A local expert and advocate estimates Surrey alone will take about a $1-million hit related to the child care cutbacks.

Now, we learn that a program for teen mothers offered at a high school in Surrey will be short $18,000. Funded by OPTIONS and the Surrey School District, the Growing Together program has existed since 1986, helping young mothers to stay in school while providing positive parenting guidance for often unprepared teenaged moms. A day care at the school provides a safe place for the children while their mothers attend classes and attempt to build a brighter future.

The program manager says closure isn't an option and neither are cuts. There are no frills to trim and there's no other program like it in Surrey. And if these young mothers give up, their children will suffer the consequences....

Clearly, this is a matter of fiscal priorities, since the decision has been made to maintain child care subsidies for low income families and those with special needs children. It makes little sense to chop $23 million, which represents such valuable programs.

The province is anticipating a $2-billion surplus this year. To be sure, there are all manner of demands on that extra funding, which the public must also remember is a one-time situation, not a steady annual revenue boost. Nevertheless, the reductions to child care operational and referral service funding are small figures representing major long-term benefits. The amounts can be covered by the surplus this year, and added to the budget in the next. Kids and childcare must be a top priority.