A Nova Scotia mother, Andrea Ferguson, is calling on the federal government to expand childcare funding to include private operators due to a lack of available daycare spaces in her community of East Hants. She is experiencing difficulty finding daycare for her two children, ages two and four, as most operators in the region are private providers. Despite putting her name on waitlists as soon as she found out she was pregnant, she is now faced with the challenge of finding childcare for her oldest child who is about to start school, as her current daycare does not offer after-school programming. Ferguson is advocating for the $10-a-day childcare agreement between the province and federal government to be amended to allow private daycares to be eligible for expansion funding to cover gaps in the system.
Ferguson’s advocacy around childcare has led to her becoming a non-profit board member. She expresses concern about the province asking non-profit daycares to address the childcare crisis in their communities, which she feels is a challenging task. She is urging the federal government to allow private daycares to receive expansion funding in order to provide more options for families like hers who are struggling to find daycare spaces for their children. Despite her efforts, she is facing uncertainties about her ability to continue working full-time once her daughter enters school if she is unable to secure appropriate childcare.
However, an advocacy group called Childcare Now Nova Scotia cautions against the expansion of private daycares. The group believes that quality care is provided in non-profit childcare centers, as they prioritize providing good care over making profits. Coordinator Kenya Thompson explains that private daycares focused on making profits may not provide the same level of quality care as non-profit centers. She also warns that private daycares could be taken over by global corporations, potentially jeopardizing the quality and accessibility of childcare services. The group advocates for following evidence-based practices and prioritizing quality care in the childcare system.
In February, Nova Scotia Education Minister Becky Druhan issued a formal expansion request to the federal government to address the childcare crisis in the province. However, the conversation about expanding childcare funding to include private operators is ongoing, with Druhan scheduled to meet with Minister Jenna Sudds for further discussions. The outcome of these conversations will determine the future of childcare funding and access in Nova Scotia. In the meantime, families like Andrea Ferguson’s continue to face challenges in finding suitable childcare options for their children. The uncertainty surrounding the availability of daycare spaces and the ability to balance work and family responsibilities remains a pressing issue for many parents in the region.
As the discussions between government officials continue, the fate of private daycare expansion remains uncertain. Andrea Ferguson and other parents in Nova Scotia are left wondering about the future of childcare in their communities. Will private daycares be included in the expansion funding, or will the focus remain on non-profit centers? The decisions made by the federal and provincial governments will have a significant impact on families like Ferguson’s who are struggling to find affordable and quality childcare options. The ongoing advocacy efforts, conversations, and meetings between stakeholders will ultimately shape the future of childcare in Nova Scotia and determine the level of support available to families in need of daycare services.
