Extend Childcare Hours to Support Families Working Non-Standard Hours
The Issue
We are a group of students enrolled in the Early Childhood Leadership (ECL) program at Fanshawe College. During our studies we have discussed the importance of accessibility in childcare. A large issue that we’ve noticed is the lack of options for families that work outside of the traditional 9-5 work hours. Most childcare centres aren’t open past 6pm, and don’t open until 7am. This can be inconvenient for caregivers working late nights or very early mornings, especially in a single-parent household where there are a lack of options for care. Since there aren’t many high quality options for non-standard hour care, and it’s not always possible for other family members to help, caregivers are forced to find their child a lower quality level of care. This could interfere with a child’s well-being, which in turn takes a toll on the families.
If childcare centres begin to offer non-standard hours care, families will have a peace of mind, knowing their child is safe and has a stable routine. Having a reliable option alleviates stress, such as: finding a babysitter last minute, or having to rely on alternate forms of childcare that may not be as reliable or trustworthy as formalized care. This could grant families more time and mental security to focus on their other priorities. If the situation stays the same, then the burden of having to find other care options will continue to impact many families. For example, potentially causing parents to miss out on career opportunities, if those opportunities come with longer hours that go beyond the traditional workday timeframe.
The government needs to provide funds to childcare centres in order for them to be open during these longer hours. Every child deserves access to the best possible quality of care. High quality care provides many benefits for a child’s development, as well as building a community between families and caregivers. We need to show the government there is a demand for this type of care. As educators, we are responsible for advocating for children and families. We believe this is an area that hasn’t received much acknowledgement and is in need of reforment. By mending this, it would ensure that childcare is more accessible for all families, no matter their circumstances.
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The Issue
We are a group of students enrolled in the Early Childhood Leadership (ECL) program at Fanshawe College. During our studies we have discussed the importance of accessibility in childcare. A large issue that we’ve noticed is the lack of options for families that work outside of the traditional 9-5 work hours. Most childcare centres aren’t open past 6pm, and don’t open until 7am. This can be inconvenient for caregivers working late nights or very early mornings, especially in a single-parent household where there are a lack of options for care. Since there aren’t many high quality options for non-standard hour care, and it’s not always possible for other family members to help, caregivers are forced to find their child a lower quality level of care. This could interfere with a child’s well-being, which in turn takes a toll on the families.
If childcare centres begin to offer non-standard hours care, families will have a peace of mind, knowing their child is safe and has a stable routine. Having a reliable option alleviates stress, such as: finding a babysitter last minute, or having to rely on alternate forms of childcare that may not be as reliable or trustworthy as formalized care. This could grant families more time and mental security to focus on their other priorities. If the situation stays the same, then the burden of having to find other care options will continue to impact many families. For example, potentially causing parents to miss out on career opportunities, if those opportunities come with longer hours that go beyond the traditional workday timeframe.
The government needs to provide funds to childcare centres in order for them to be open during these longer hours. Every child deserves access to the best possible quality of care. High quality care provides many benefits for a child’s development, as well as building a community between families and caregivers. We need to show the government there is a demand for this type of care. As educators, we are responsible for advocating for children and families. We believe this is an area that hasn’t received much acknowledgement and is in need of reforment. By mending this, it would ensure that childcare is more accessible for all families, no matter their circumstances.
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Petition created on October 30, 2023