Newcomers to Canada often start their journey at a younger age compared to the average Canadian, which frequently means they have young families. Access to affordable and diverse childcare options becomes crucial not only for the well-being of children but also to stimulate economic growth and social integration.
Childcare participation is closely linked to higher labor force participation among families, particularly among mothers. For instance, the introduction of Quebec’s low-cost universal childcare program led to increased workforce participation among women and greater use of paid childcare services. Between 1998 and 2015, the number of hours worked by women with children increased by 9%, contributing $2.8 billion to the country’s gross domestic product.
Without affordable childcare options, newcomers might face the challenge of staying home to care for their children. Unlike native Canadians, immigrants may lack extended family or friends to assist with childcare, and they might not be financially prepared for daycare costs as they settle into their new lives.
Finding Childcare Options in Canada
Canada offers various childcare options, including nannies, daycare centers, home daycare, and before- and after-school programs. The availability of these options can vary between provinces and territories, with more generous public funding leading to a greater number of choices.
To find suitable childcare in Canada, consider the following steps:
1. Check City and Provincial Resources
Begin your search by visiting your city’s website and the Ministry of Education website for your province. Both sources provide lists of licensed childcare centers in your area.
2. Seek Recommendations
For unlicensed centers or informal care, explore community center bulletin boards and ask other parents in your community for recommendations.
3. Consult Settlement Service Providers
As a newcomer, you can contact your local settlement service provider, as many of them offer childcare services for newcomer children.
Keep in mind that childcare spots in Canada can be limited, and many centers have waitlists. It’s advisable to get on a waitlist as early as possible to secure a spot for your child.
The Costs of Childcare in Canada
In 2022, Statistics Canada conducted a survey on childcare services in Canada, collecting information on the expenses incurred by parents for different types of childcare arrangements based on the child’s age and province or territory of residence.
On average, parents paid $7,790 per year for full-time childcare for children aged 0 to 5 in 2022. This amounts to an average of $649 per month for full-time care, equivalent to $31 per day. Full-time care typically involves 30 or more hours per week.
For children receiving any number of hours of care per week, including part-time care, parents paid an average of $6,565 per year. This translates to an average of $547 per month for part-time childcare or $29 per day.
Parents also incurred higher costs for childcare for children aged 0 to 3 compared to those aged 4 to 5. In 2022, the average annual cost for full-time childcare was $8,146 for children aged 0 to 3, compared to $6,880 for children aged 4 to 5.
Additionally, the cost of childcare varied depending on the type of arrangement:
- For full-time center-based childcare, parents paid an average of $7,957 per year for children aged 0 to 5.
- For full-time family childcare homes, parents paid an average of $7,042 per year for children of the same age.
- Full-time care by a non-relative in the child’s home (e.g., a nanny) was the most expensive, with parents paying an average of $26,669 per year for children aged 0 to 5. However, this figure is likely lower due to some parents reporting no expenses for this type of care.
- Parents paid an average of $3,517 per year for childcare by a relative other than a parent.
Supply and Use of Childcare Centers in Canada
As of April 2022, there were 12,466 childcare centers across Canada providing full-time care to approximately 565,000 children aged 0 to 5 and part-time care to 152,200 children in the same age group.
Around 40% of these childcare centers were non-profit organizations, but the prevalence of non-profit centers varied considerably between provinces. Manitoba and Saskatchewan had the highest number of non-profit organizations.
Childcare centers with staff holding post-secondary early childhood education (ECE) training were more common, as such training is associated with higher-quality care. The rate of pay for staff often depends on their ECE training.
In addition to childcare centers, there is a significant number of home childcare providers in Canada. Between 2008 and 2015, there were about 268,000 self-employed childcare providers in the country. Interestingly, nearly 40% of these home childcare businesses were owned by immigrants.
More than half of children aged 0 to 5 in Canada participate in childcare services, although participation decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Daycare centers are the most common type of childcare for children in this age group, followed by care by a relative other than a parent and family childcare homes.
Notably, the use of childcare during evenings or weekends was more prevalent among one-parent families and less common among families in Quebec and the Eastern provinces.
