Confusion and uncertainty over the future of half of Nova Scotia's daycares
HALIFAX, NS – Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie criticized the NDP government for causing confusion and uncertainty around funding for children who attend privately-owned daycares.
The Minister of Community Services revealed at a press conference with CUPE in December that the NDP government is reviewing funding for privately-owned daycares. The Minister admitted that phasing out funding for private daycare is on the table.
Such a change in funding could mean that children who attend privately-run daycares would not be eligible for a child care subsidy and no funding would be forthcoming for playground improvements or training.
"Our privately owned daycares give important support to working parents. They provide parents a choice of what kind of care they want for their children," said Baillie. "Rather than increase access to childcare and encourage choice, the NDP want to starve these daycares out of business."
Almost half of Nova Scotia's 409 licensed daycares are privately-owned and most are small businesses run by women
The co-owner of Giant Steps Children's Centre, an award-winning daycare, is concerned by what she has heard from the government.
"There is a great deal of uncertainty right now because we are unclear about the government's plans," said Donna Buckland. Her company has three locations and employs 40 people. They have 262 child care spaces in the growing Tantallon area.
Daycare operators consulted by the PC Caucus say they have not been able to make long-term plans because of the uncertainty surrounding funding.
In the House of Assembly, the Minister touted the PEI model of daycare funding, saying "this is looking at the future very much the same as Prince Edward Island has done in terms of how we can grandfather those businesses in." PEI is ending funding for private daycares by the end of a five year "transition" period.
Baillie says this is the wrong approach for Nova Scotia.
"This is wrong for working families, wrong for kids and wrong for our economy," said Baillie. "The Minister should take this bad idea off the table and be clear about it. Now."
The PC leader said the chill cast on private daycare in Nova Scotia follows the familiar pattern of the NDP's anti-business Bill 100 and First Contract Arbitration law. The NDP were also criticized for competing with Nova Scotia's road building companies and independent insurance brokers.
Baillie said he fully supports government investment in daycare. Every dollar put into supporting daycare releases $2 into our economy by improving productivity.
Privately-owned daycares are sometimes the only provider in smaller communities. Many of the daycares are the result of the hard work of an entrepreneur, most often women and some in their own homes.
Privately-owned daycares account for 8,530 of the 16,245 licensed daycare spaces in Nova Scotia. The subsidy program is accessed by 3,700 families in both private and non-profit daycares.
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