When Lisa Petersen had her first child, she anticipated returning to work soon. After a few months, she accessed an online platform managed by the city of Copenhagen to secure daycare for her daughter, Naia. The process was remarkably smooth, providing Naia a full-time spot at a subsidized facility with qualified staff.
Comparatively, Lisa’s experience in Denmark stands in stark contrast to the challenges faced by many Canadian parents who still encounter extended waitlists and steep fees for childcare services. Despite a 2021 Liberal target to reduce daycare costs to $10 per day by 2026, as of July, several provinces including Alberta, Ontario, B.C., Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick had not met this objective.
Morna Ballantyne, the executive director of Child Care Now, highlighted that Canada is far from achieving a universal childcare system. While discussions are ongoing about extending the Liberal subsidy program, concerns have been raised that Canada’s market-driven approach may be inefficient and could compromise care quality.
In Australia, Georgie Dent faced similar struggles in securing childcare for her children due to limited spaces and high expenses. Dent now leads an advocacy group called The Parenthood, emphasizing that Australia’s attempts to subsidize childcare have fallen short.
Australia, like Canada, has predominantly left childcare center development to the private sector, resulting in significant profit-seeking activities and escalating fees. This market-oriented model has led to challenges in curbing rising costs despite increased public spending, with a considerable portion of daycares operated for profit.
Moreover, the Australian childcare subsidy has not effectively addressed childcare shortages in underserved areas, leading to concerns about quality and safety standards. The workforce turnover rates in remote regions due to low wages have further exacerbated the situation.
Australia is contemplating a shift towards universal public or non-profit childcare systems amid ongoing issues with the subsidy model. Recent scandals involving neglect and abuse in Australian childcare facilities have heightened calls for reform in the system.
In contrast, Denmark has long prioritized daycare accessibility as a fundamental right, ensuring that spots are available for all children. Publicly operated nurseries, like the ones Lisa Petersen’s children attend, are seamlessly integrated into the public education system, with fees never exceeding 25% of operating costs.
Denmark’s approach has yielded impressive results, with a vast majority of children benefiting from early childhood education. The positive impact on children’s development, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, underscores the significance of high-quality childcare services.
While a public childcare system akin to Denmark’s may come with substantial costs, the benefits are undeniable. The challenge lies in transitioning away from existing private sector dominance in countries like Australia, Canada, and the U.K., where there is less inclination towards treating daycares as extensions of public schools.
Advocates stress the need for reforms to ensure subsidies effectively reduce costs for parents and sustain quality childcare facilities. Despite the complexities and hurdles involved, there is optimism that concerted efforts can lead to a more equitable and efficient childcare system in Canada.
