WINNIPEG — Daycare is pretty affordable in Winnipeg, a new study says — but many parents struggle to find one of those elusive child-care spots.
Pat Wege at the Manitoba Childcare Association explained this is largely due to government subsidies.
“That means the province picks up a portion of the costs, thereby keeping the fees paid by the parents themselves lower,” said Wege.
A new study called The Parent Trap by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives looked at daycare rates for infants and toddlers across the country.
Gatineau, Que., got the title for most affordable city, with an average cost of only $152 a month. Winnipeg was the second most affordable with average costs being $451 a month for toddlers and $651 a month for infants. The highest cost was in Toronto, where families pay more than $1,600 a month for infant and toddler daycare.
READ MORE: Childcare costs highest in parts of B.C., Ontario, least in Quebec: study
“That makes a huge difference on a family budget,” said Wege. “Quite frankly, when I look at the cost of some of the monthly fees, it can be equivalent to another mortgage payment for parents.”
While Winnipeg got a winning grade in affordability, many parents are still struggling to find a spot for their children in a licensed daycare.
There are about 12,000 families in the province on an online registry waiting list, Wege said. That number has risen over the last four years.
Sammy and Aash Wadhawan have had their name on the list for their son for over a year. Sammy turned down three job offers because there were so few options.
“I am putting aside my career and sitting at home because of my child,” said the mother. “I want him to be in a safe place, which I am not finding.”
The study also found that on average, more spots become available as children get older. There were almost twice as many spots for toddlers as for infants.
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