Daycare near crisis, say operators; Call on province to deliver more funds
Comox Valley Echo
April 3, 2007
By: Mary Anne Ocol

Child care providers are demanding more when it comes to supporting quality child care services in the province.

Cathy Batho, co-chair of the Comox Valley Early Child care Educators of B.C. (ECEBC), said that if more money is not injected into existing centres, parents could be left with no other option than to stay home or place their children in unlicensed or unregulated daycares.

"We can only stretch a dollar so far and for many centres the stretch is coming to the breaking point," said Batho, owner and operator of Teddies 'N' Toddlers daycare.

Last month, the federal government pledged $250 million to create new daycare spaces, which amounts to $33 million for child care in B.C.

But many child care advocates say the funds fall well short of the $152 million promised previously by the federal Liberal government.

"I believe that any money given towards creating child care spaces is a good thing," said Batho. "However, if more money is not injected into existing centres, many are going to find it very difficult to continue to offer services to parents."...

But while the money is appreciated, child care advocates say it does nothing to address the need for a national child care policy and the need for new spaces.

"I believe the federal and provincial governments need to come together and create a national child care program that is insulated from political interference," said Batho.

"As it stands now, child care is a political football with each party tossing it to the side, and no direction being given to sound policy that will provide a stable environment for child care in Canada.

"Both the provincial and federal governments say they want to give parents choices in child care however, with no formal spaces available and lengthy wait lists, in reality parents have no choice."

Currently, all of the larger daycares in the Comox Valley - which numbers about 20 - are full with wait lists of about 60 or more families, with many not taking any new names, says Jackie Lindsay, Comox Valley ECEBC co-chair. The provincial government has cut major capital funding for start-up costs, providing no incentive for people to open new centres.

This, insists Batho and Lindsay, presents huge challenges not only for families, but also for local economies.

Without quality child care, parents - particularly women - would likely stay home, resulting in less labour market participation.

And with the Comox Valley currently experiencing a labour shortage - particularly in the retail sector in which many women participate - the impact on businesses could be huge.

"It could slow the whole market down," said Brooke Pearce, project coordinator with Comox Valley Labour Futures.

He explained that the loss of labour market participation could make it difficult for employers to find appropriate employees for the job, impacting every aspect of the economy.

"Early years are important," said Lindsay. "Research confirms that a good start in life is important, and it is well recognized that high quality child care centres that promote early learning provides long term economic benefits." She said pressuring the government to restore funding and to make a long-term commitment to build a national child care system is needed for families and for the economic prosperity of communities.