The situation in Quebec is that parents only pay a very small amount(I believe it is $7/day) and the government picks up the rest. All daycare centres are supposed to be regulated and it is very hard for parents to find a space. It is not true that it is only available to middle class parents. Unfortunately, there are some mothers who don’t work outside the home and use it as a babysitting service. I know of a number of mothers who misuse the system that way.

Provincial, provincial, provincial – an apt description of your own thinking.

Yes – you can find in-home daycare, but that doesn’t necessarily make it easier or better.

We interviewed 7 in-home providers before selecting one for our first child. The one we selected works for an agency that trains and monitors the home daycares, and ensures they adhere to provider-child ratios. We were very happy with the care she received – but I believe our provider was exceptional.

To “Frunger” – these ratios are important – especially with the younger kids. It’s scary enough to entrust a stranger with your young child (who can’t talk and tell how it’s going!). Even scarier if you’re in a situation where you have to go to an unregulated person in their home with no monitoring or support!

And to all those who regularly show up and comment (everywhere these types of stories appear) that the best care is by parents and you shouldn’t have kids unless you can stay at home – what BS. Many parents would love to do this but can’t due to needing two incomes (and no, it’s not just so they can jet off to sunny vacations, or buy bigger houses or cars!). And what about single-parent families? Or are you willing to compensate single-parents for lost wages by staying at home?

We need more regulated spaces so that are kids are not only safe and healthy, but stimulated and well-cared for. And, so that parents have choices and aren’t forced to use sub-standard care.

I’d be tough to give that sweetheart deal to them without giving it to the rest of the provinces. Now the ‘childcare’ program will just funnel more money into provincial general revenues and they’ll ‘do their best’ to increase spaces just like most are saying they’ll ‘do their best’ about emmisions reduction.

Many are retired teachers/RN’s that could easily be certified, but don’t stick strictly to the staff/child ratio and can’t be bothered with the bureaucratic hassles. They can also be more flexible around their hours.

You’ll probably get better care from the day homes too, because they’re watching the kids of friends and family. I’m stereotyping union workers, I realize that.

If the Que model is anything like what a federal program would look like, it will be used mainly by the middle-upper classes that work 9-5 office jobs who could afford to pay for it themselves.

The work hours of the working class don’t mesh very easily with a government program.

Dude, I live in Victoria. I don’t want to pay for someones daycare in Toronto. Get McGuinty to cover that crap.