Canada’s Childcare costs and demand are truly essential for newcomers arriving here. A majority of newcomers come to this country when they’re young, and they tend to have a family at that age. As a result, it becomes all the more critical for these children to have various childcare options. Besides this, the option greatly contributes to economic prosperity and society’s growth.
Overall, newcomers tend to seek balanced childcare costs, convenience, and service quality. However, they do find it initially challenging to access appropriate childcare.
Relevance of childcare in Canada
Investment in early learning for children and offering them childcare leads to employment growth in Canada. Furthermore, there are more jobs for workers, which is especially relevant to women workers. According to Dr. Fraser Mustard, being able to learn at an early age enhances graduation rates, increases social equity, and raises income levels. Moreover, it encourages mothers to meet their economic requirements well. The idea is to create a more vital workplace for women in the workforce and give each child a solid foundation.
Canada’s Childcare costs and demand – essential details
The childcare participation rates differ from province to province across Canada. For instance, in 2019, Quebec children aged between 0 to 5 belonged to childcare. By far, this had been the highest rate in this country. In contrast, children between the ages of 0 to 5 under the childcare category in Nunavut were nearly 37 percent.
According to reports, approximately 12,664 childcare centers in Canada were available to care for children between the age group of 0 and 5 in April 2022.
The survey of 2022 also states that for full-time childcare, parents paid nearly $7,790. The age of these children was between 0 and 5 years. This amount stands equivalent to $649 per month for child care on a full-time basis.
On average, parents paid $29 per day for part-time childcare. This stands equivalent to an average of $547 per month.
Next, parents had to pay an increased amount for younger kids between 0 and 3, approximately an average of $8 146 every year. This is for full-time care. On the other hand, children between 4 and 5, had to pay $6,880 for full-time childcare.
Canadian childcare – What about Quebec’s childcare system?
Quebec demonstrates a healthier and more affordable childcare system. Going by the historical data, Quebec’s workforce participation of women was four points less than the other parts of Canada. However, at present, this province’s women workforce participation rate is four times higher than the remaining parts here. Talking globally, women in Quebec with children under three have also acquired the highest employment rates.
Moreover, Quebec’s GDP has risen by 1.7 percent, solely through childcare.
Canadian childcare options – how to find them?
Canada has a variety of childcare options, including nannies, preschool programs, home daycare, daycare centers, before and after-school services, etc. Childcare services could either be regulated or unregulated.
- Regulated Childcare Services – Provincial and territorial authorities govern and provide licenses for these types of services. These include full-time childcare like home daycare and school-age child care. Most provinces also have nurseries and pre-schools.
- Unregulated Childcare Services – Family Childcare home or Caregiver’s home falls under this category of services. If a parent accesses this kind of service, they will have to independently manage everything from the relationship with the provider to the evaluation of the quality of childcare service.
The availability of childcare centers in Canada
Looking at the previous data, between 2008 and 2015, nearly 268,000 home childcare providers prevailed in Canada and were all self-employed. Interestingly, 40 percent of these self-employed childcare services came from immigrants.
According to the latest data, in April 2022, nearly 12,466 childcare centers in Canada offered full-time childcare to 565,000 children. These belonged to the under-5 age group. Additionally, around 152,200 children under 5 acquired part-time care in Canada. A majority of non-profit organizations have been in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Conclusion
To build a quality childcare system on the basis of community, the federal government is preparing itself to collaborate with provincial, territorial, and indigenous partners. The government aims to make it simpler for all families to access early learning for their children and childcare. It seeks to make it all the more affordable, high-quality, and flexible learning. Per the budget 2021, the government aimed to invest a total of $30 billion in the upcoming years in childcare and Indigenous Early Learning. Additionally, the government plans to invest $9.2 billion each year, alongside the previous announcements.
