According to the 2008 statistics on childcare in Canada, two-thirds of parents of children 12 and younger used childcare services regularly. This included daycare facilities, care by a relative other than the parent, and care in someone else’s home. Of these, daycare facilities were the most popular, with 36 percent of parents using them regularly.
Impacts of the Universal Child Care Benefit
The federal government is currently rolling out beefed-up child benefit cheques that are designed to cover the cost of child care. The increase is expected to relieve many parents of financial strain due to a lack of available child care. As a result, many parents are cutting back on hours at work.
The federal government is also working with provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners to build a quality childcare system. This is a truly transformative project. It will create a legacy for future generations and build on the progress of previous generations in providing public health care and education.
Changes in employment among childcare workers since the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised public awareness of the need for childcare workers. However, the pandemic has resulted in a large number of job losses in the childcare occupation, with over 40 percent of childcare workers unemployed in April 2020. Total employment is 20 percent lower than before the pandemic began. Childcare workers are already in a difficult economic position, as they are predominantly female and people of color and earn low wages.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many ECE programs to close and many others to reduce the number of employees. As a result, this workforce has been particularly vulnerable to the virus. Childcare workers are a key part of the community, serving not only children but also the economy. Yet these workers have low wages and minimal benefits, and high turnover rates. Many workers have also reported feeling undervalued by their employers.
Costs of childcare
Preschool-aged child care in Canada can be quite expensive. A typical month’s fee can be as high as $1,800 in Toronto. In comparison, a month in Winnipeg costs around $450. But if you are a Canadian resident, childcare costs in some of the provinces can be less than half that amount. In these provinces, the prices are set by provincial policies.
Toronto is the most expensive place to find child care. The average monthly fee in Toronto is $1,649, which adds up to $21,788 a year. Other cities in Toronto and Vancouver have comparable monthly rates, while those in Montreal cost an average of $164 per month. Despite the relatively high cost, many provinces offer subsidies based on income and family size. In Quebec, for instance, fees are based on income, so if you’re a low-income family, you can receive substantial subsidies. However, it is important to note that some centres in Toronto and other large cities are more expensive than others.
Number of children covered by the UCCB
The Canada Child Benefit is a federal program that provides financial assistance to low and middle-income families. During the first year, parents of eligible children are eligible for an average benefit of $2,300. After that, the benefits gradually phase out. Families with two or more children are no longer eligible to receive the benefit. The federal program is expected to pay out CAD 23.7 billion in 2019 to 3.7 million families.
The UCCB has helped reduce child poverty across Canada. However, it remains a persistent problem. This problem is linked to poor health outcomes for children. Despite these improvements, not all eligible families are taking advantage of the program. Clinicians can play an important role by screening for eligibility and helping families navigate the application process. Prior research has shown that cash transfer programs such as the UCCB are effective in reducing child poverty and increasing well-being.