We think it's appalling there is such a huge gap in the daycare services offered in our community.

It's not just single mom and UCFV student Brenda Methorst [see story, page 4] who feels this way - talk to any mother who has tried to find daycare in Abbotsford in recent years, especially for children under the age of two.

They will tell you it's extremely hard to find seemingly non-existent child care for children under two, or that they face waiting lists at every licenced centre.

Plus, there are independent studies conducted with local non-profit agencies like United Way of the Fraser Valley that illustrate the crisis is real.

Just last month, UWFV executive director Glenn Hope said the need for childcare in Abbotsford is huge.

"Affordable, quality child care seems to be on no one's radar right now. In Abbotsford alone, there are nearly 7,000 children [under five] who need child care, but only 1,175 licenced childcare spaces."

Recent changes announced by B.C. Minister of State for Children Linda Reid - who is visiting Abbotsford today - eliminate the need for daycare providers to reserve space for infants.

When the minority federal Conservative government came in, it scrapped the Liberals' plan to add child care spaces.

Sure, they offered $100 taxable dollars per month, but where are the needed spaces?

Why is nothing being done? Where are our elected officials - at all levels?

It is a sad state of affairs when, in a community the size of Abbotsford, a mother who is trying to better her life by going to school has to rethink her decision because of lack of affordable child care.

These are people who should be getting the most support from the community's services….