Child Care in Canada – What is the Federal Role?

Abstract

Childhood is the most critical stage in our life cycle due to the enormous growth and development that takes place. Skills such as reading, writing and communication are developed, and one’s emotional state is nurtured during the younger years of a child’s life (Government of Canada, 1994). The well-being of children, which includes emotional health, cognitive development, scholastic achievements and physical health among other things, can be impacted in a negative manner by the care they receive in their early years. This means that it is critical that children are cared for in a positive environment especially from birth until age five (Upperman & Gauthier, 1998). Education programs as well as support and awareness are all of great value in the policy field of child care, especially for children whose parents do not have the support of a family network to depend on for child care or the finances to send their children to private care centres (Battle & Torjman, 2000). The federal government, in cooperation with the provinces, has a critical role to play to help develop and promote high quality child care for Canada’s children through stable funding [...]