N.S. Government Will Consult With Daycare Operators After Public Backlash
HALIFAX–The Government of Nova Scotia says it has heard the concerns of commercial daycare operators and is reconsidering how to move forward with its new funding model.
A week ago, privately owned daycare operators had a virtual meeting with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. During the one-hour call, the department told operators they had until March 18 to choose from three options on how their daycare would work going forward: remain a private business under strict funding guidelines controlled by the province, become a non-profit, or go it alone outside the system without any government funding.
These massive changes are coming on the heels of Nova Scotia signing onto the federal government’s Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System.
The feds are providing $605-million over five years with the expectation Nova Scotia reaches certain criteria. Most important is a dramatic reduction in parents’ fees. By 2025-26, the goal is to have them reduced to just $10 per day.
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There has been much outcry about the vagueness of the province’s plan, the looming deadline, and concerns over the government taking control aways from private operators.
Now, the provincial government says it is reexamining how it will proceed.
In a January 20 email, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development told Huddle it has “heard from the sector” and “recognizes there is anxiety around the transformation that is happening in child care.”
“That’s why we are extending the March 18 deadline so that we can better consult with them about the opportunities and benefits of the new system,” it says.
Spokespeople for the daycare industry applauded the news.
Bonnie Minard of the Private Licensed Administrators Association for Childcare says they will be looking for clarification and more details on the government’s plan.
“I believe there’s been some misinterpretation because their document wasn’t as clear as it could have been,” said Minard. “We’re cautiously optimistic we can work through this and find something that’s workable.”
During her conversations with concerned daycare owners, Minard said the issue of autonomy kept popping up. According to a government document detailing the three options, the province plans to create a “central organization” that would have a lot of control over the industry.
Minard argues such a centralized system wouldn’t work with early childhood education.
“A lot of centres create a very unique flavour,” she says. “People are heavily invested and believe heavily in what they are doing…and nobody wants to lose their business.”
Another issue that needs clarity is how daycare owners can protect the money they already invested over the years. The government’s plan doesn’t make it clear whether owners can easily sell in the free market if they choose to.
“People want to make sure they don’t lose their investment, that they’re able to sell when they’re ready to retire. They want to be able to have a succession plan,” said Minard.
Many have also pointed out how this whole issue disproportionately affects female entrepreneurs. Minard estimates 85-90 percent of private daycares in Nova Scotia are operated by women.
“We don’t think in 2022 that any level of government should be looking to put female entrepreneurs out of business,” said Minard. “We feel very strongly this wouldn’t happen in a male-dominated sector.”
Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].