Child care is essential – in a pandemic or otherwise. It’s essential to families, the economy, and to our collective prosperity.
The pandemic made very clear how important child care is. If people are without child care, they can’t go to work; and even if they’re able to work from home, it can be difficult to be productive. This impacts workers in every sector and the ripple effect on employers, their suppliers, and their customers are significant … and it’s not long before all those ripples take a toll on our whole economy.
Women’s labour force participation has suffered disproportionately under COVID-19 with more than 12 times as many women exiting the workplace than men. This is a direct result of family and child-rearing responsibilities continuing to fall predominantly to women.
Investments in child care that create more licensed, high-quality child care spaces will support women and allow them to re-enter the workforce. It is also an opportunity to expand the early childhood education workforce – creating jobs that stimulate economic growth and recovery – while giving families more choice.
For numerous families, early childhood professionals have been able to provide the necessary stability for their children, whose world was otherwise disrupted due to the pandemic. At our own YMCA, our Child Care staff have received praise from parents for continuing to provide safe, stimulating, engaging, and learning-based programming at every stage of the pandemic. Parents acknowledged that this was critical for their child whose other experiences and social connections were reduced; as well as indicating that this service was vital for them to continue to function. This helped parents reduce their stress and allowed them to continue with their jobs.
At a time when nothing seemed normal, child care professionals at organizations small and large were the comforting faces behind the mask, eyes smiling, who make possible the reassuring routine that is so important for children’s development. They were there for vulnerable children, giving them a strong start to early learning and improving school readiness, making it easier for all children to succeed.
Working parents require care for their children. This is critical to our cities, our provinces, and to the economic recovery of our country. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the diverse array of child care providers across the province, licensed high-quality child care remains out of reach for many Ontario families who find it unaffordable, inaccessible or both.
Ontario has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reignite our economy by expanding child care spaces – and the child care workforce – across Ontario communities. The time for a child care deal is now. Eight provinces and territories have signed on to the federal government’s plan to increase the number of affordable, quality care spaces within five years. Ontario must sign on too!
We stand ready, as do so many others, to help build something great for Ontario families.
Child care educators have a long track record of helping make Ontario communities the best place to work and raise a family. They have been here for our communities throughout the pandemic – with emergency child care for frontline workers, with daily child care, and with before and after school programs. They’ve been here for children, for parents, and for the benefit of community health and economic health as well.
Early childhood educators have also been guiding young people as they train for bright careers in child care. Colleges and universities have been collaborative partners providing students with virtual and in-person placements, giving students the experience to graduate and become tomorrow’s child care leaders. A child care deal that prioritizes workforce development will provide more young people with the opportunity to enter this rewarding profession that sets children up to reach their full potential.
As Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day approaches on October 21 we thank child care professionals for all they do to help children and families thrive. But the real thanks they deserve, and Ontario needs, is a federal-provincial child care agreement that recognizes the value of their role.
YMCAs are the largest provider of not-for-profit child care in Ontario. The YMCA of Northeastern Ontario operates 28 Child Care Centre’s, including Licensed Home Child Care.
Helen Francis, President and CEO for the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario
Rob Groccia, Interim VP of Child, Youth and Family Development at the YMCA of Northeastern Ontario.
