Childcare in Canada: A Look at Demand and Prices: The average age of a Canadian is older than the average age of a newcomer. This means that newcomers tend to have younger children. This means that having access to a wide range of affordable childcare choices is important not only to make sure that children are taken care of but also to boost economic growth and social well-being.
Families, especially moms, who use childcare are more likely to work. In Quebec, when a low-cost universal childcare program was put in place, it led to more women going to work and more people using paid babysitting. From 1998 to 2015, the number of hours women with children worked went up by 9%. This added $2.8 billion to the gross domestic product.
If there aren’t any cheap choices, newcomers may have to stay home to take care of their kids. Unlike most Canadians, newcomers may not have family or friends who can watch their kids or the money to pay for daycare while they get used to their new home.
How to find a facility for childcare in Canada
In Canada, there are many choices for child care, such as nannies, daycare centers, home daycare, and programs for before and after school.
Most of the time, provinces and territories with more public money will have more opportunities for good child care, while others may have less.
Start by looking at the website for your city and the Ministry of Education website for your province. This will help you find a care choice that fits your needs. Both will give you a list of places in your area that have been approved. For unlicensed centers or informal care, look at the notice boards at community centers and ask other parents in the area if they know of any good places.
As a newcomer to Canada, you can also check with your local settlement service provider. Many of these providers offer child care for the children of newcomers.
There aren’t many spots for childcare in Canada, and many places all over the country have waitlists. Each care place will have its list, and you should sign up as soon as you can.
Canada’s childcare costs
Statistics Canada did a poll on childcare services in Canada in 2022. They asked how much people paid for childcare by type (like a childcare center or a home with a babysitter) and by province or territory where they lived.
In 2022, parents paid an average of $7,790 per year for full-time main care for their 0–5-year-old kid. This means that full-time care costs an average of $649 a month, or $31 a day.
Full-time care meant at least 30 hours a week.
Parents paid an average of $6,565 per year for care for their children who were there for any number of hours per week, even if it was only part-time. This means that part-time childcare costs an average of $547 per month or $29 per day.
Parents paid more for a child from 0 to 3 years old than for a kid from 4 to 5 years old. In 2022, parents paid an average of $8,146 per year for full-time care for their children ages 0 to 3. This was compared to an average of $6,880 per year for full-time care for their children ages 4 to 5.
Also, parents paid different amounts for their children’s care depending on the type of deal.
Parents paid the most for care in the child’s home by someone who wasn’t related to them.
In 2022, parents paid an average of $7,957 per year for full-time center-based care for a kid from 0 to 5 years old. Parents paid an average of $7,042 per year for a kid of the same age who went to school full-time and whose main place of care was a family childcare home.
For a child from 0 to 5 years old whose major caretaker was a non-relative who lived in the child’s home full-time (a nanny), the parents paid an average of $26,669. Compared to a child whose main caretaker was a relative other than a parent, parents spent an average of $3,517 more per year to take care of their children. The real cost is probably less since many parents said they didn’t have to pay for this kind of care.
Availability of childcare facilities across Canada
In April 2022, 12,466 childcare places in Canada took care of about 565,000 children ages 0 to 5 full-time and 152,200 children ages 0 to 5 part-time.
About four out of ten childcare centers were not-for-profit organizations. This number changes a lot from province to province, with Manitoba and Saskatchewan having the most not-for-profit organizations.
Staff at centers were more likely to have schooling beyond high school in early childhood education (ECE). Different pay rates are given based on ECE training because it has been shown that trained staff gives better care.
Even though they take care of fewer kids overall, there are a lot of people who offer child care in their homes. In Canada, there were about 268,000 childcare workers who worked for themselves between 2008 and 2015. Interestingly, almost 40% of these home childcare businesses are run by immigrants.
Use of Childcare Facilities in Canada
More than half of all 0–5-year-olds go to child care, though that number went down during the COVID–19 pandemic.
Most kids this age go to daycare, which is the most popular type of childcare. Almost a quarter of children who use childcare are with a cousin who is not a parent, and one in five is in a family childcare home.
Families with only one parent were more likely to use child care in the evenings or on the weekends. Families in Quebec and the Eastern states were less likely to do this.
Summary:
- Accessible childcare is crucial for newcomers.
- Quebec’s program boosts women’s workforce.
- Various childcare facilities.
- Costs vary by age and type.
- Most kids attend daycare.
- Single parents use evening childcare less.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Childcare in Canada
Q1. Why is affordable childcare important in Canada?
Affordable childcare supports working parents, boosts the economy, and enhances social well-being, especially for newcomers who may lack support networks.
Q2. How can I find childcare facilities in Canada?
- Start by checking your city’s website and the Ministry of Education website for your province.
- Ask for recommendations from other parents or check community center notice boards.
- Contact your local settlement service provider as a newcomer.
Q3. How much does childcare cost in Canada?
In 2022, full-time childcare for children aged 0-5 costs an average of $7,790 per year, while part-time care costs an average of $6,565 per year.
Q4. Do childcare costs vary by the age of the child?
Yes, parents paid more for children aged 0-3 compared to those aged 4-5 in 2022.
Q5. What are the different types of childcare in Canada?
Childcare options include nannies, daycare centers, home daycare, and before and after-school programs.
Q6. Are childcare centers mainly for-profit or not-for-profit in Canada?
Approximately four out of ten childcare centers are not-for-profit organizations, although this varies by province.
Q7. What is the availability of childcare facilities in Canada?
In April 2022, there were 12,466 childcare places in Canada, serving over 565,000 children aged 0-5 full-time and 152,200 part-time.
Q8. Who provides childcare services in their homes in Canada?
About 268,000 childcare workers operated their home childcare businesses between 2008 and 2015, with nearly 40% being immigrants.
Q9. What types of childcare arrangements are most common for children aged 0-5 in Canada?
Most children in this age group attend daycare, with some in family childcare homes or with non-parent cousins.
Q10. How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect childcare usage in Canada?
Childcare usage decreased during the pandemic, but more than half of children aged 0-5 still attended childcare facilities.
Q11. Do single-parent families use evening childcare in Canada?
Single-parent families were more likely to use evening or weekend childcare, while families in Quebec and Eastern provinces used it less.
