Ella Dalling has been on the waiting lists for daycare for her nine-month-old daughter Murph since early in her pregnancy.
“We applied to around 20 daycares across Vancouver but haven’t received any responses yet,” Dalling shared.
In Vancouver, parents are left with no option but to wait patiently or make cold calls to daycare facilities. Due to the absence of fee regulations for daycares in British Columbia, monthly rates can vary greatly, ranging from $200 to $2,000.
Dalling, recognizing the urgent need for daycare spots, emphasized that securing a spot is more crucial than knowing the cost. To address this issue, she has introduced an online platform called Little Scout. This platform allows daycares to list available spots and helps parents locate nearby options.
Through her platform, Dalling has interacted with parents and daycare providers from different parts of British Columbia who believe that the current daycare system requires enhancements.
A recent report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives highlights that British Columbia is falling behind other provinces in terms of providing universally affordable childcare. The province’s childcare system comprises a mix of private and non-profit operators, some of which receive substantial government subsidies while others charge full fees.
David Macdonald, co-author of the report, pointed out the complexity of determining childcare costs in British Columbia, leaving parents with uncertainties.
The report revealed that childcare fees in B.C. cities are among the highest in Canada, varying from a median of $28 a day in Kelowna to $52 a day in Richmond for infant care.
While parents in British Columbia have experienced some savings following a funding agreement with Ottawa in 2021, the amount saved ranges from $300 to $500 monthly. In contrast, parents in provinces with fee caps enjoy significantly greater savings.
Six provinces and territories have already set fee caps at $10 a day, while Alberta charges a maximum of $15 a day, and Ontario, $22 a day. Despite being a frontrunner in proposing $10-a-day universal childcare, the B.C. NDP government is now facing criticism for stalling on the implementation.
Sharon Gregson, a spokesperson for the $10-a-day Child Care Campaign, expressed disappointment in the government’s inaction compared to other provinces.
Education and Child Care Minister Lisa Beare, while unavailable for an interview, expressed concerns about the inequities in the $10-a-day program, leading to a temporary halt in its expansion. Beare stated the government’s commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders to create a more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable childcare system for the future.