As a part of the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan (CWELCC), in 2021 the Government of Canada committed to reducing childcare fees in Early Learning Facilities across the country to $10 per day. Parents have shared their stories on how their lives and the lives of their families have been impacted by accessing $10 a day child care.
It is imperative that we sustain and expand the $10 a day childcare system to ensure no family gets left behind. Child Care Now-NL is committed to the continued advocacy and action required to create a fully funded, accessible, inclusive, and robust child care system in our province.
After COVID my family wanted to move back to the province and make a life here. Me and my husband were so lucky to find work here and were able to make the move. In the months preparing to move back, we found a house, organized a cross country move, but for the months of preparation we were unable to find any form of childcare, regulated or unregulated. If it wasn’t for my parents taking our child, we would not have been able to start the jobs we moved home for. My parents had to take care of our daughter full time for over 6 months while we looked for child care, if it wasn’t for them, we’d still be living in Ontario unable to make the move home.
We finally got unregulated care after months of searching at $1000 a month for one child. We had regulated care in Ontario and were starting to question if the move home was worth it with the cost of a second mortgage being added to our family expenses in childcare alone. And we only had one child. We weren’t better off, we were drowning in childcare payments at a crucial time of trying to set up our house and down roots in Newfoundland. We were happy to finally have daycare, and our daughter safe and loved there, but she basically played in a small room that didn’t even have a window all day. The meals were not what we’d like our daughter to be eating, most of the time consisting of frozen food and no fruit or veggies. The provider never took the kids outside. We knew she was safe and loved but she wasn’t getting much else being there and we felt so guilty that those were her days and we had no option to provide her with anything else since we both needed to work. $1000 a month is a debilitating cost when the cost of absolutely everything has gone up. We always wanted a second child, but struggled with the decision to have another, a lot of it having to do with childcare. We timed it so we’d only have one in full time care at a time. When I got pregnant again, I wasn’t able to take the 18 months leave, we simply couldn’t afford it. Not having access to affordable, regulated daycare has been a focal point in our family. It’s made making a life here more difficult, it has factored in to most of the decisions we’ve made since we’ve had children. We finally got our child into regulated care and I feel even more passionate about families in this province having access to affordable care than I did before. My child loves it there. She eats healthy meals and snacks everyday, she goes outside and plays every day when the weather is good, she does crafts and has story time and is absolutely thriving. A financial burden has been lifted in our household income which has been so impactful to our family. Our relationship with my parents went back to being our child’s grandparents, instead of their unpaid childcare providers. Every family deserves access to quality, affordable childcare. It is a major piece to being able to start a life in the province, to being able to go to work instead of staying at home providing childcare because no options are affordable or available. It’s needed so that people can base the decision of starting a family not on whether or not they can afford it, since there is real possibility of not finding care and needing to leave the workforce- this being more of a factor if you don’t work regular hours or have family support to help provide care. We’re just one family, and truthfully a lucky one. We had family support when we couldn’t find any care. We also both have full-time, well-paying jobs with regular hours. And it was still so hard. I can’t imagine families who work shift work, seasonal work, or even have a starting time before 8am, their options are even more limited. Not having access to affordable care is
such a disservice to young families in our province, parents and children alike, and in our experience made it harder to move back home and build a life here.
We finally got unregulated care after months of searching at $1000 a month for one child. We had regulated care in Ontario and were starting to question if the move home was worth it with the cost of a second mortgage being added to our family expenses in childcare alone. And we only had one child. We weren’t better off, we were drowning in childcare payments at a crucial time of trying to set up our house and down roots in Newfoundland. We were happy to finally have daycare, and our daughter safe and loved there, but she basically played in a small room that didn’t even have a window all day. The meals were not what we’d like our daughter to be eating, most of the time consisting of frozen food and no fruit or veggies. The provider never took the kids outside. We knew she was safe and loved but she wasn’t getting much else being there and we felt so guilty that those were her days and we had no option to provide her with anything else since we both needed to work. $1000 a month is a debilitating cost when the cost of absolutely everything has gone up. We always wanted a second child, but struggled with the decision to have another, a lot of it having to do with childcare. We timed it so we’d only have one in full time care at a time. When I got pregnant again, I wasn’t able to take the 18 months leave, we simply couldn’t afford it. Not having access to affordable, regulated daycare has been a focal point in our family. It’s made making a life here more difficult, it has factored in to most of the decisions we’ve made since we’ve had children. We finally got our child into regulated care and I feel even more passionate about families in this province having access to affordable care than I did before. My child loves it there. She eats healthy meals and snacks everyday, she goes outside and plays every day when the weather is good, she does crafts and has story time and is absolutely thriving. A financial burden has been lifted in our household income which has been so impactful to our family. Our relationship with my parents went back to being our child’s grandparents, instead of their unpaid childcare providers. Every family deserves access to quality, affordable childcare. It is a major piece to being able to start a life in the province, to being able to go to work instead of staying at home providing childcare because no options are affordable or available. It’s needed so that people can base the decision of starting a family not on whether or not they can afford it, since there is real possibility of not finding care and needing to leave the workforce- this being more of a factor if you don’t work regular hours or have family support to help provide care. We’re just one family, and truthfully a lucky one. We had family support when we couldn’t find any care. We also both have full-time, well-paying jobs with regular hours. And it was still so hard. I can’t imagine families who work shift work, seasonal work, or even have a starting time before 8am, their options are even more limited. Not having access to affordable care is
such a disservice to young families in our province, parents and children alike, and in our experience made it harder to move back home and build a life here.
Parent
Newfoundland and LabradorThe $10a day has made it affordable for me to have my son enrolled in daycare. We are immigrants and do not have a Nan and Pop or other family members to assist with taking care of our son during the days. The affordability has also made it possible for both parents to work as we settle down in our life here in NL.
Khaliah Kinkead Dawkins
ParentAs a proud mother, entrepreneur, and advocate for equity, I cannot overstate the transformative impact of $10-a-day childcare. Five years ago, as a single-income household in Newfoundland and Labrador, I was navigating the complexities of balancing my professional aspirations with raising my son, Theo. When he was just one year old, I made the decision to enroll him in childcare so I could return to full-time work.
Before the $10-a-day childcare program, the financial strain was immense—I was losing nearly an entire paycheck each week just to cover childcare costs. It was a constant challenge, forcing me to choose between my career and providing the best care for my son. For single-income families like mine, the burden was unsustainable.
The introduction of $10-a-day childcare changed everything. It gave me peace of mind, knowing my son was in a safe, nurturing environment while I focused on rebuilding my career. This program allowed me to transition from a mother struggling to make ends meet to a recognized leader and entrepreneur. Today, I am honored to be named Entrepreneur of the Year by Women in Communication and Technology, a talk show host on Rogers TV St. John’s, and one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women. These milestones would not have been possible without the financial relief and support that affordable childcare provided.
Accessible, affordable childcare is not just a benefit for parents; it’s an investment in the economic empowerment of families, the development of children, and the future of our communities. It ensures that parents, particularly women, can remain in the workforce, contribute meaningfully to the economy, and pursue their dreams without being overwhelmed by childcare costs.
I am living proof of the possibilities created when families have access to programs like $10-a-day childcare. It is a lifeline, a game-changer, and an essential foundation for creating equitable opportunities for parents across Canada.
Before the $10-a-day childcare program, the financial strain was immense—I was losing nearly an entire paycheck each week just to cover childcare costs. It was a constant challenge, forcing me to choose between my career and providing the best care for my son. For single-income families like mine, the burden was unsustainable.
The introduction of $10-a-day childcare changed everything. It gave me peace of mind, knowing my son was in a safe, nurturing environment while I focused on rebuilding my career. This program allowed me to transition from a mother struggling to make ends meet to a recognized leader and entrepreneur. Today, I am honored to be named Entrepreneur of the Year by Women in Communication and Technology, a talk show host on Rogers TV St. John’s, and one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women. These milestones would not have been possible without the financial relief and support that affordable childcare provided.
Accessible, affordable childcare is not just a benefit for parents; it’s an investment in the economic empowerment of families, the development of children, and the future of our communities. It ensures that parents, particularly women, can remain in the workforce, contribute meaningfully to the economy, and pursue their dreams without being overwhelmed by childcare costs.
I am living proof of the possibilities created when families have access to programs like $10-a-day childcare. It is a lifeline, a game-changer, and an essential foundation for creating equitable opportunities for parents across Canada.
Laurabel Mba
Talk Show Host, Entrepreneur, DEI Advocate, and Proud MomMy spouse, Amanda, and I are proud parents of an amazing, bright, and inquisitive 2-year-old who eagerly absorbs everything the world has to offer. Amanda, as the sole proprietor of a professional services business, had to return to work soon after our daughter’s birth to maintain her clientele. I was fortunate to take paternity leave, thanks to the strong protections in my union contract, and stayed home with our daughter until she turned one.
When my leave ended, we faced the daunting challenge of finding reliable child care. Our first solution was a day-home that cost $250 a week, but the provider was highly unreliable. This often forced Amanda to cancel appointments with clients, losing income, or for us to use up precious vacation days. After a few months, we found another day-home at the same price, but this option closed after just six months when the operator took a different job. With only a week’s notice, we turned to an acquaintance—a stay-at-home parent of a similarly aged child—who helped us out temporarily for the same weekly cost.
While the quality of care improved slightly with each transition, none of these options offered play-based learning or meaningful enrichment. In some cases, the TV was on more than we were comfortable with. Then, in late fall of 2024, we finally found a spot in an incredible $10-a-day daycare program.
The change has been nothing short of transformative. In just a few weeks, we’ve already noticed significant intellectual and social growth in our daughter. We’re excited to see how much more she will thrive in this environment.
This access has brought immense relief. We no longer live in constant fear of losing our childcare, dealing with sudden closures, or draining our vacation days to fill gaps. Financially, the impact has been just as profound. Despite having good jobs, the high cost of child care previously ate up every spare dollar—and then some. We put off dental appointments, stuck with old phones, limited our spending on Christmas, delayed household upgrades, and skipped contributing to our daughter’s RESP. Now, with affordable child care, those items are finally back in our budget.
Access to $10-a-day child care has dramatically improved our household’s financial well-being and reduced our stress levels. Most importantly, we’re seeing incredible developmental benefits for our daughter. For all of this, we are deeply grateful—and incredibly lucky.
When my leave ended, we faced the daunting challenge of finding reliable child care. Our first solution was a day-home that cost $250 a week, but the provider was highly unreliable. This often forced Amanda to cancel appointments with clients, losing income, or for us to use up precious vacation days. After a few months, we found another day-home at the same price, but this option closed after just six months when the operator took a different job. With only a week’s notice, we turned to an acquaintance—a stay-at-home parent of a similarly aged child—who helped us out temporarily for the same weekly cost.
While the quality of care improved slightly with each transition, none of these options offered play-based learning or meaningful enrichment. In some cases, the TV was on more than we were comfortable with. Then, in late fall of 2024, we finally found a spot in an incredible $10-a-day daycare program.
The change has been nothing short of transformative. In just a few weeks, we’ve already noticed significant intellectual and social growth in our daughter. We’re excited to see how much more she will thrive in this environment.
This access has brought immense relief. We no longer live in constant fear of losing our childcare, dealing with sudden closures, or draining our vacation days to fill gaps. Financially, the impact has been just as profound. Despite having good jobs, the high cost of child care previously ate up every spare dollar—and then some. We put off dental appointments, stuck with old phones, limited our spending on Christmas, delayed household upgrades, and skipped contributing to our daughter’s RESP. Now, with affordable child care, those items are finally back in our budget.
Access to $10-a-day child care has dramatically improved our household’s financial well-being and reduced our stress levels. Most importantly, we’re seeing incredible developmental benefits for our daughter. For all of this, we are deeply grateful—and incredibly lucky.
David Hillier
Parent, Grand Falls-WindsorWhen our daycare switched from unregulated to regulated, our lives changed, as we were no longer spending thousands a year on child care. Now, we are saving over $1600/month without having to sacrifice on quality as our children still attend a wonderful facility with dedicated and loving early childhood educators. We are the lucky ones but it shouldn’t be this way. Every family deserves accessible, affordable, and inclusive child care in this province
Jamie MacDonald
ParentWhile I respect and admire moms who stay at home, I chose to get a doctorate so I could work in higher education. Yet, as the lower earner in the household, it would have been hard financially to justify going back to work after parental leave if it weren’t for $10/day child care. Ending my career would have been a blow to my mental health. It would have been a loss for the field as well as my daughter, who greatly benefits from daily socialization with other children from care and education from qualified ECEs, and from seeing her mother work outside the home.
Olivia Heaney
ParentOur child is 19 months old, and despite having been on numerous daycare wait-lists since early in my pregnancy, we still haven’t been able to secure a $10/day spot. I had to return to work or risk losing my job. We are currently paying $1,000/ week for a full time nanny. It is, unfortunately, an unsustainable solution for our family, and we are still searching for an affordable, regulated spot. The financial impact on our family (especially in an economic climate that is already seeing high inflation) is significant to say the least. Finding regulated childcare has been exceptionally frustrating, and I feel like there’s a road block at every turn.
Kerry
ParentWe were so fortunate to find a $10aDay space of the highest quality for our son within walking distance of our house and work. Our toddler is thriving from the attention of the talented ECEs at the centre he attends. Most days, our car now sits in the driveway. We save on gas and pollute less. Being able to drop him off on foot means more quality time together as a family rather than commuting long distances. We know how lucky we are and that so many families are spending hours in the car each week driving their kids to child care programs on the other side of the city because it’s the only space available. Every neighbourhood should have a child care centre.
Yolande
Parent$10-a-day daycare has made a significant difference for my family. The significant decrease in the cost of daycare as compared to when our 9-year-old daughter attended daycare is very noticeable. The program allows us to participate in activities as a family and have more financial security than we would have otherwise.
Brendan Hagerty
ParentIn NL, obtaining $10/day childcare is difficult for a lot of families. Having to rely on unregulated day homes can be stressful and financially taxing, especially for families with a modest income. One big challenge that we have faced is that our son is autistic. We thought we were able to obtain a $10/day space at a regulated day care centre, but, due to his additional needs, we would also need a support worker for him. We were told that this could take months. I think it is important that, in addition to having adequate access to $10/day child care, it is important to have additional supports in place so that children with special needs can also be accommodated. Otherwise, $10/day childcare remains an illusion.
Bruce Nolan
ParentAs a parent, you seek to do the best for your children. No matter what income bracket families fall under, all parents want their children to thrive. But thriving depends on rich lived experiences. Given that a child’s brain develops to 90% of its’ adult size in the first 5 years of life, our children’s very first experiences are crucial in the development and shaping of their growth. Having access to quality childcare at a rate that is accessible for all families, is imperative to the success of our society as a whole. High quality childcare ensures our children are met with learning opportunities that prepare them for school. High quality childcare identifies when a child may need extra support in their learning and development and sets them up for success right from the start. High quality childcare ensures children are meeting milestones at developmentally appropriate times in their childhood. Ensuring that all of our children have access to this type of care and learning ensures that every child is prepared for higher learning in their school age years. Imagine two families, each with children the same age. One family has access to high quality childcare, while the other is unable to afford it. The child that goes to daycare gets to engage with peers, participate in art activities, nature walks, science experiments, gets early exposure to literacy and numeracy skills beginning their understanding of communication in our society. The other child does not get these experiences. As a parent who does have access to high quality regulated childcare at $10 a day, knowing that my child gets these experiences while his brain is in the most rapid point of growth it will ever be in, is invaluable to me. Knowing that there are still families unable to access this type of care and learning for their children, pinpoints where the injustices lie and where privilege begins. I am a huge supporter of decreasing the cost of high quality childcare so that it is accessible for all. So that ALL children can have access to the experiences that will set them up for success. So that every child can thrive in our society.