Ella Dalling has been on the waiting lists for daycare for her nine-month-old daughter Murph since early in her pregnancy.
“We signed up for around 20 waitlists across Vancouver. Unfortunately, we haven’t received any responses,” Dalling shared.
According to the Vancouver mother, parents are left with no option but to wait or reach out to daycares directly. In British Columbia, where daycare fees are not regulated, prices can vary significantly from $200 to $2,000 per month.
“When you secure a spot at a daycare, the cost is not the primary concern; the priority is securing the spot,” she emphasized.
Dalling recently introduced an online platform called Little Scout, which allows daycares to list available spots and enables parents to locate nearby options. Through this initiative, she has engaged with parents and childcare providers from all over British Columbia who agree that the current system requires enhancements.
“When families have to contemplate whether they can expand their family due to daycare availability, it signifies a serious issue,” remarked the concerned mother.
A recent report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives highlights that British Columbia has fallen behind other provinces in providing universally accessible and affordable childcare services.
The childcare system in the province comprises a mix of private and non-profit operators, some of which receive substantial government subsidies while others charge full rates.
David Macdonald, a co-author of the report, emphasized the complexity of determining childcare costs in British Columbia, stating that it is a common concern among parents.
Regarding fees, the report revealed that cities in British Columbia are among the most expensive in Canada, with infant care fees ranging from a median of $28 per day in Kelowna to $52 per day in Richmond.
Although British Columbia parents have seen some savings following a funding agreement with the federal government in 2021, the monthly savings are estimated to be between $300 and $500. In contrast, parents in provinces with fee caps experience significantly higher savings.
Currently, six provinces and territories, including Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nunavut, have set a daily cap of $10 for childcare fees. Alberta charges a maximum of $15 per day, while Ontario’s maximum fee is $22 per day.
Despite being an early advocate for $10-a-day universal childcare, the British Columbia government has been criticized for stalling progress on the initiative. The $10-a-day Child Care Campaign expressed disappointment over the lack of advancement in the province compared to others.
Education and Child Care Minister Lisa Beare was unavailable for an interview but stated concerns about the structural disparities in the $10-a-day program, which operates on a lottery system rather than based on need. Consequently, the government has halted the expansion of the program to collaborate with stakeholders on designing a more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable childcare system for the future.