What's happening at CRRU
In this new blog post Martha Friendly discusses the main narratives in the current debate about the role of for-profit child care in a Canada-wide early learning and child care system. She argues that - as public funding grows exponentially - an important element must be solid accountability for public funding, and that strengthening for-profit child care will impede achieving universal access to high quality child care that would benefit all Canadians.
CRRU is looking for a new project officer to join our team. Applicants can send their cover lever and resumé to contactus@childcarecanada.org. The application deadline has been extended until September 20th. See job posting for more information.
Featured
What goes around comes around when it comes to for-profit child care
Childcare Resource and Research Unit, 7 September 2022
In this new blog post, Martha Friendly discusses the main narratives in the current debate about the role of for-profit child care in implementing the Canada-wide early learning and child care system. She argues that any compromise that gives way to profit making and reduces public accountability of government funding in child care is a step backwards from achieving truly universal access to quality child care that would benefit all Canadians.
The Royal Commission on the Status of Women and child care
Labour/Le Travail, Spring 2022
This article examines past recommendations from the Royal Commission on the Status of Women (RCSW) and its further implications for the present Canada-wide early learning and child care agreements. The author notes that the RCSW saw universal child care as one of many parts of a whole and proposed a comprehensive set of reforms to family policy that included changes to both taxation and social security, all aiming to guarantee mothers' rights to a meaningful choice between paid work and caregiving.
SK: Georgia Lavallee: $10 a day child care is great, but we need more money for early childhood educators
Regina Leader-Post, 5 September 2022
AU: More than 1,000 Australian childcare centres to strike for better pay and conditions
The Guardian, 6 September 2022
Research, policy and practice
Fathers and family leave policies: What public policy can do to support families
Engaged Fatherhood for Men, Families and Gender Equality (book), 8 September 2021
This cross-national review examines the types of leave options available to fathers, focusing on parental leave policy design, fathers' leave use patterns, and the impacts of paternity leave on family health and wellbeing. Results from Nordic countries and Germany suggest that parental leave uptake is higher among fathers under certain conditions: within a shared parental leave policy design and within workplaces that offer employer support. Recommendations to support fathers in taking workplace leave include effective policy design, adequate parental leave coverage, and greater acceptance of paternity leave as a cultural and workplace norm.
Child care subsidy activity test: Undermining child development and parental participation
Impact Economics and Policy, August 2022
This report examines Australia’s child care activity test—a tool that assesses family eligibility for child care subsidy based on parents’ income and employment status. Despite its intention to encourage participation in the workforce, the activity test was found to stand in the way of universal access to child care and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups such as Indigenous peoples, low-income families and parents in casual employment. The report recommends removing the test as a step towards providing every Australian with access to child care and improved participation for parents who are currently dissuaded from work.
Council recommendation on high-quality early childhood education and care systems
Official Journal of the European Union, 22 May 2019
This document presents the European Union’s quality framework for early childhood education and care (ECEC). The framework identifies five broad areas of quality: access, staff, curriculum, monitoring and evaluation, and governance and funding. Recommendations for member states include supporting the professionalization of ECEC staff with better wages and working conditions, ongoing and transparent monitoring and evaluation of ECEC services and ensuring adequate funding for the provision of services.
Child care in the news
QC: PQ, QS square off on overhaul of Quebec's public daycare system
CBC News, 4 September 2022
MB: Manitoba families most in need to benefit from $87-million 'family affordability package': Premier
Government of Manitoba, 31 August 2022
BC: City eyeing licensed daycare at community centre
Penticton Herald, 6 September 2022
BC: New Hamilton YWCA program offers early literacy support to vulnerable mothers and children
The Bay Observer, 30 August 2022
NT: A YWCA program becomes the latest NWT childcare casualty
Cabin Radio, 2 September 2022
AU: Calls to scrap subsidised childcare test
Hawkesbury Gazette, 30 August 2022
Events
BC: We are one - BCACCS conference
BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, 29 September - 1 October 2022
BC Aboriginal Child Care Society is hosting an online and in-person conference on effective Indigenous early learning and child care programs and services for ECE professionals. Rooted in Indigenous teachings and knowledge, participants will learn how to deliver programs and services and about the importance of community involvement, leadership and support for children of Indigenous communities.
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