Childcare Can Strengthen an Economy

Everyday I check my google alerts for childcare articles and everyday I notice common themes from all over the world; there are not enough qualified staff, it is too expensive, there are not enough spaces. Day after day I read these same concerns and yet not once have a read about why these problems exist and what the solutions are. I do not profess to know all the answers to these complex questions, I do believe I know enough to make mindful comments. I have been an Early Childhood Educator since 1973 and in this 40 plus career journey I have experienced only slight changes to the challenges we still face today in the 21st century.  Early in my career I was quoted as saying, "If society understood there is a marriage between quality childcare and a strong economy."  Access to quality child care puts more women in the workforce, which in turn puts more money back into the economy. Parents need childcare in order to obtain and retain a job. Children need a safe place to be which promotes their healthy development while their parents are working. The childcare industry is an important economic driver within any country: it spurs the purchase of goods and services (as well as the goods and services employees will purchase); leads to a reduction in employee absenteeism and turnover (which increases productivity), and invests in the future of our workforce (by increasing the likelihood children will start school ready to learn). Society has heard this over and over again and is anyone really listening. If people where listening then childcare would be at the top of every political agenda. It is time the Canadian Government committed to making a higher direct investments into child care, especially as this was one of their major campaign highlights in the last election. As a society we cannot stand still and allow Canadian children to be left behind. Canada has one of the highest costs of childcare in the world, only the United States and Ireland have higher costs than Canada. Why is Canada so far behind?

In Sweden, childcare and education combine in an integrated system known as Educare. Educare is a nationwide network of subsidized childcare and education for the children of all working parents . Fees are proportional to parental income and capped at a monthly maximum equivalent to less than  $AU200, (about $300 Canadian). Children from the age of three receive 525 hours a year free of charge. The system is complemented by paid parental leave arrangements which provides 480 days for each child, insured at 80 per cent of parental income.

It took Sweden decades to create the existing system and was driven by gender equality, this struggle lead to the creation of a childcare system which is accessible, affordable, has well-educated staff who provide a stimulating environment for children, where families would feel comfortable leaving their children.

When presented with Sweden's childcare success many people believe, "We can't do that." But what they really mean is, 'We can't suddenly do that." It will take time to create a Canadian Universal Childcare System and governments must stop throwing money at childcare without a plan.

Aside from Sweden, other Nordic and European countries are admired for the nationally subsidized, universal childcare they provide. Figures from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) show that the five developed countries boasting the highest percentage of working mothers - Iceland, Slovenia, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden - all provide nationally subsidized, integrated childcare programs. Families in these counties spend only 10% of their income on child care, in Canada it is 30%.

We can learn from countries such as Sweden. It is time to start realizing our childcare system is in crisis and the evidence suggests Early Childhood education, when designed properly, can play an important role in social and economic unity. There is much work to be done and we must start now. Yes, it is going to cost a lot of money. And yes, it will take time to bring all the stakeholders together.  But if we do not start somewhere then our children, the economy and our social fabric will suffer. It is time to say, enough talking - "we need a plan and we need it now for a Canadian Universal Childcare System."