The Evolution of Child Care -- Op-Ed

NOTE: The following is an op-ed piece by Sonja Power chair of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

Early childhood education and care is a need for most families in Nova Scotia. When the Advisory Council on the Status of Women was formed in 1977, child care was identified as a priority for women. It still is -- nearly 30 years later. But our understanding of what the system should look like has evolved as families have, and it is important that Nova Scotians work toward a system that supports many different family types.

In 2006, most Nova Scotia parents with children under the age of six are working parents. Nova Scotia employers and our economy rely upon all workers to be productive, and parents can be most productive if their children are in high-quality care that they can afford.

That system must be flexible for the variety of families who rely upon it. Some of those families do shift work, many live in rural communities, and some of the children have special developmental or physical needs, or language and cultural needs.

High-quality early childhood education and care gives children the best start in school and in life. It prepares young Nova Scotians to build our province in the future. It is appropriate for all families, including those where a parent chooses to be at home with the children before they begin school.

Flexibility and a range of options are key components of an excellent system. Another important component is that the system pay child-care workers an equitable wage based on the value of their education and on the value of their contribution to society.

It is in the best interest of all Nova Scotians to have the best early childhood care and education we can afford today.

The province has just launched its 10-year Child Care Strategy, despite the severe reduction in funding from Ottawa. Now, Nova Scotians must work toward a system that supports many types of families and all our children.