By: Lia Richardson
Some parents said they are looking for alternative child care options due to high daycare costs.
A serious University of Toronto study warns there’s no point in finding spaces for daycares across Toronto because of its expensive rate.
A study last year from Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives said most of Toronto parents can’t afford daycare which can cost up to $1,000 a month.
According to the study, Toronto is the most expensive city in the country for day cared at $1.033 a month. The least expensive city in the country was Quebec City where day care costs just $174 a month.
Twenty-one-year-old Tisha Nyack works at Buttercup Daycare part-time in Toronto. It’s a private home daycare which Nyack said is the better way to go.
“My manager works out prices according to what parents are able to afford which is cheaper and more convenient,” Nyack said.
Part-time child care worker Laura Chiofalo, 21, works at a public daycare. Chiofalo said the extra charges that come with daycare facilities throw parents off even more.
“Picking up your child too late will cost parents a fee. There are so many rules and restrictions already which gives people more than just the financial stress to worry about,” said Chiofalo.
She said most daycares won’t allow their child to come in when they’re sick while parents won’t be compensated for sick days of their children.
Mother of one Kelly Lima, said her paycheque alone would cover the cost of daycare expenses.
“There’s no point in putting her in daycare because I can’t afford it and I won’t resort to home daycares,” Lima said.
She said her mother-in-law currently watches her daughter which is what she’s comfortable with.
On the other hand, Anna Ally, also a mother, said she pays $125 a week for part-time home daycare.
“Public daycare is way too much, there’s no way I could do it,” said Ally.
http://media.utoronto.ca/u-of-t-in-the-news/vast-majority-of-toronto-parents-cant-afford-daycare/
https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/they-go-so-fast