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Getting a high-quality, secure and affordable childcare center can be challenging for working parents in Canada who follow a tight work schedule. It is especially challenging for Canadians who are new to this country and don’t have a good network of friends and family nearby.
Whether you choose home care, enroll in a preschool program or send your kids to spend quality time at an after-school childcare program, selecting the one that suits all your needs is essential. In this article, we will discuss the childcare system in Canada, the types of childcare, and how you can select a good one.
It is a crucial family support
It is common for parents to provide early childhood education and child care for their children between the ages of 0 and 12. This is crucial for parents who work full-time or part-time shifts, who are studying or training or who stay at home with their children. However, finding high-quality and budget-friendly child care can also be challenging for parents.
The Childcare system in Canada
Parents should be aware of certain factors when looking for a childcare service in Canada, including location, child’s age, and income level. Canadian children begin formal schooling at the age of six and continue through mandatory education until they reach the age of seventeen or eighteen.
In short, any regulated programs for children before the age of six fall under the childcare system and early learning in Canada. According to a report, the number of childcare spaces created between 2017 and 2020 exceeded 40,000, but there is still a long way to go if we expect universal and affordable childcare for all Canadians.
And if we go deeper, some groups of families have a hard time finding suitable child care – those living in certain areas or territories of Canada and those whose families have special need-infants, families staying in rural and remote regions, parents working irregular hours, newcomers, or First Nation, Metis, or Inuit families.
The federal government is also working hard with each province and territory as they regulate and administer childcare services. For instance, the Canadian government has announced that early learning and childcare services can be offered for less than $10 daily.
What are the types of childcare services available in Canada?
Preschool:
Preschool is designed for children between the ages of three and five to offer basic childhood education before formal schooling starts. The aim is to build social, emotional and physical development through some play-based learning. Although the education method and curriculum vary across preschools, they mainly focus on social skills, literacy and numeracy.
Private and public organizations administer these preschools, including religious, community, and educational associations. Some canadian provinces offer government preschool, while some are regulated by tuition-based options.
It is important to note that no matter where the preschool is located or its hours or teaching methods, it must comply with the provincial, territorial or Indigenous regulations regarding the teach-to-student ratio and health and safety standards.
Daycare:
It is a good option for children between infancy and six years old. Like preschool, it is designed to provide care and socialization to the children before they enroll in formal education during the daytime.
Both part-time and full-time daycare services are available in Canada; parents can choose according to their requirements. Besides home daycare in private residencies, canadian parents can also opt for private and public daycare systems across Canada.
The best thing about daycare is that, in comparison to preschool, it offers longer and varied hours as it is specifically designed for working parents. You will find some daycares open during summer vacations, holidays, or in the evening, whereas these facilities are limited to preschools.
Kindergarten:
It is mainly the introductory year of the formal education system for children. In Canada, the session usually starts at the end of August and continues until the beginning of September. Canadian parents can choose different types of kindergarten for their kids, which include paid private schools, homeschooling or free public schools. The provincial and territorial authorities mainly govern and regulate these kindergartens.
Before-and-After-School Childcare Programs:
These programs are for school-aged kids before and after school hours and include play-based learning activities to boost emotional, cognitive and physical growth. These are fantastic solutions for parents who struggle to balance their jobs and children’s school hours.
These school-aged programs are only open for a couple of hours, and parents or caregivers are allowed to drop their kids off before going to work and pick them up later. These programs are suitable for kids whose curriculum emphasizes holistic development, and children will feel safe with familiar adults and other kids.
How to select the best childcare service for your kids?
Check the information properly: Before selecting a childcare service, it’s essential to look for what’s available in your province or community, the fee structure, and the service they will provide. Knowledge and proper details about childcare programs and their health and safety management will help you select a good one.
Choose the one that suits your budget and needs: While the quality of care, varied hours and location are important, checking the cost is also crucial. Some parents go for licensed daycare services with trained staff and structured programs, but the price will be high. Some prefer home-based care, which may come with certain limitations. However, they need to know that the person you are hiring is professional and trustworthy.
Visiting daycare centers: Before you enroll your child in a daycare center, make sure you visit it to check how it operates. During the visit, look at health and safety management, how the staff treats the children and other amenities.
Final Say
To conclude, searching for suitable childcare in Canada as a newcomer involves analyzing the diverse options, including factors like your income, child’s age and location. With the government’s initiative to offer accessible and budget-friendly childcare by collaborating with provinces, you can expect a high-quality childcare service for children’s early education and development in Canada.
Last Updated on by Icy Canada Team
