Child-care stories sought
Cariboo Press - Kootenay Western Star
January 18, 2008

… One year ago, the West Kootenay Children First office released its report, "The Story of Child Care in the West Kootenay."

The report, based on stories from parents and caregivers showed that 93% of parents in the West Kootenay have had trouble finding child care.

One parent wrote, "I work on call at the hospital as a nurse. Because it's impossible to find last minute child care, I avoid answering the phone if I think it is work calling because I can only turn down work so often and then they will take me off the on call list. We can't live on just my husband's income. "

Another wrote, "I did have child care and then it closed down. Since then I haven't been able to find a space. Lack of child care has reduced my income significantly. I could be earning approximately $2,000 per month; instead I am stuck on welfare."….