Parenthood

Child care and education for kids of preschool age are one of the highest cost items of most families. For instance, a family that lives in Saskatoon with an infant and a three-year-old would be faced with a monthly bill of almost $1,700 for regulated child care. According to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives research about child care fees in Canada 2017, child care affordability is a significant issue for modest- and middle-income families, not only for those who are lower income. No doubt that for families of immigrants this issue can become a very hot topic because of the lack of support from relatives or friends, and lower income at the beginning of residence in Canada. Accordingly, the necessity to use of the daycare services begs the question on what the price depends and what does it affect?

In general, parents could use several types of child care services such us, licensed centres, family child care homes and unlicensed caregivers. The difference in the price of service in places of different types may be tremendous and that is due to the requirements and the necessity to satisfy them. The licensed centres and family child care homes meet and maintain standards set by the Provincial Government. For example, Saskatchewan is unique because all child care centres are required to have parents involved on a parent advisory committee. In addition, licensed centres are monitored by Early Learning and Child Care consultants and have their license reviewed every year. Also, the staff in Child Care Centres are Certified Early Childhood Educators. On the other hand, unlicensed caregivers are not monitored by the Government and are not subject to many legal requirements. Moreover, you can choose any type of child care in Canada because it is not compulsory to choose any one type. This is why it is so important to choose properly. Depending on the province, the age of mandatory entry into the education system is age 4 to 7 years. Taking everything into account, how do we decide which place will be of high quality and safe for our children?

First, high-quality child care must have well-qualified, well-paid, stable staff. Second, the ratio of child-adult very low and regulated by standards. Next, all types of regulated child care in Saskatchewan are required to provide meals that meet the nutritional needs of the children. And, last but not least, quality child care should not only offer care, but other aspects of child development as well. For instance, this may include physical, motor, emotional, social, language and cognitive development. Taking all these factors into account, you should be able to determine if your daycare is high calibre.

Very few people disagree with the belief that personal success depends on what we know, what we are able to do, and what abilities we have. One of the important conditions for achieving goals and success is the continuous development and investment in this process from an early age. For that reason, the cost of professional education for our children is high. After all, if we consider the time that the child is spending in the center during early development, from perspective of education and personal growth, its cost will never seem too high to a parent.

Overall, I believe that it is my duty as a parent to pay any price for the highest possible level of care and development for my children in order that my children can achieve their dreams. In Canada, childcare may be expensive, but it’s a price I’m willing to pay.