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JUST THE FACTS
It's been well documented that early childhood experiences are important to adult health and well-being.
Childcare - the benefits
- Children who attend regulated childcare, whether centre- or home-based, arrive at kindergarten better equipped to learn and better able to overcome any socio-economic inequalities poverty creates.
- Targeting support to children and families who are at risk or having difficulties is necessary to ensure positive outcomes in later life; such support works best within a system of ECEC that is available to all. (Fraser Mustard and the Honorable Margaret McCain "Early Years Study: The Real Brain Drain)
- Children who participate in early years programs are more likely to benefit long term from better employment opportunities and higher incomes, and to be less reliant on welfare and less inclined to become involved in criminal activity.
Childcare - the need
- Many families in today's economy need two incomes to maintain an adequate standard of living. Consequently, 70 percent of children require access to non-parental childcare.
- Of the 96,700 children aged 0 - 9 in Ottawa, only 6.5% have access to regulated childcare. The city has seen no expansion of regulated childcare since 1993 despite increasing need.
- Of the 11,340 licensed spaces available in Ottawa, only 6,345 are subsidized. Families can wait up to two years for infant and toddler care.
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