Peel Child Care Crisis Leaves Parents Scrambling for Solutions

A significant shortage of before and after school care programs in the Peel Region is leaving many parents struggling to find suitable childcare options. With the 2024-25 school year approaching, over 1,470 children are currently on waiting lists for licensed Before and After School Programs (BASP). This situation has led some parents to reconsider their employment options, as they grapple with the challenges of balancing work and childcare.

Registered nurse Nicola Montgomery faced an unexpected career dilemma when she went on maternity leave last year. Anticipating a return to her role, she found herself unable to secure childcare for her child, leading her to seek non-hospital jobs that align with school hours. “As it stands right now, I can’t go back,” Montgomery stated. “I took an 18-month leave because I wasn’t sure I’d get childcare.”

The demand for licensed BASP spaces has surged as many parents return to in-person work. However, the supply of these spaces is dwindling. According to Carolyn Ferns, public policy co-ordinator for the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC), the situation represents a “perfect storm.” Parents are increasingly required to return to the office, yet the availability of school-age childcare is diminishing, with fees continuing to rise.

As of March 2024, the Region of Peel reported that 342 sites are licensed for BASP, though a centralized waitlist does not exist. Families often resort to placing their children on multiple waitlists in hopes of securing a spot. For instance, the non-profit organization PLASP has approximately 890 children on its waitlist, while Family Day and YMCA report 290 and 124, respectively.

Parents like Anjali Rego are deeply affected by these challenges. Rego’s oldest daughter is enrolled with PLASP, but her younger child lost a spot after switching schools and is now 14th on a waitlist of 22. She expressed her frustration, stating that PLASP’s policies do not allow for flexibility in transferring spots between schools, forcing her to rely on unlicensed childcare. “We need to advocate for other families in the community and have the space for children to be on the school site in a safe space,” she emphasized.

The situation is compounded by the exclusion of school-age care from the federal/provincial Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program, which capped preschool childcare fees at $22 a day. This policy gap has left many families without financial support for school-age programs, resulting in a higher cost burden.

Ferns highlighted that unlicensed childcare providers are becoming a common solution for parents, despite the risks involved. “Programs for school-age children are becoming financially unviable for providers and they are increasingly closing spaces,” she noted. As a result, many parents are creating their own pickup schedules or turning to unlicensed providers for care.

In response to the growing crisis, representatives from PLASP and the YMCA noted their efforts to increase licensed spaces. A PLASP spokesperson said, “As with all childcare in the province, we continue to face a shortage of qualified staff.” The YMCA of Greater Toronto has expanded licensed spaces at 21 locations but faces limitations due to staffing ratios and licensing regulations.

The Peel District School Board (PDSB) has acknowledged the frustration among parents regarding the shortage of spaces. Chair David Green stated that while the board’s responsibility is to provide space in schools, staffing and funding are ultimately up to the providers. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB), in collaboration with organizations like PLASP and YMCA, is monitoring the situation and exploring options to open new programs when feasible.

Staffing shortages are further exacerbated by Ontario’s current approach to childcare, which many advocates argue is inadequate. Ferns pointed out that early childhood educators (ECEs) earn around $23.86 an hour and often work split shifts, making staffing difficult. The OCBCC’s recent report underscores the fragmented nature of Ontario’s childcare system and calls for integrating school-age programs into CWELCC funding.

The Ministry of Education asserts that Ontario is making “record investments” in affordable childcare and has initiated a Workforce Strategy aimed at improving wages and conditions for early childhood educators. Additionally, the Ministry of Sport announced a $43.9 million investment over three years in the After-School Program (ASP), which will fund recreation and tutoring for 13,000 children across the province. However, PLASP has not received any of this funding, raising questions about resource allocation.

As parents in Peel continue to navigate this challenging landscape, advocates stress the urgent need for systemic change. Ferns concluded, “Leaving school-age care out of CWELCC was a policy mistake. Families need a system that’s affordable, equitable, and available when they need it.”

For many families like that of Leah Rosalak, the struggle for accessible childcare remains a pressing concern. After waiting over a year for after-school care, Rosalak found herself back on a waitlist. While she secured an unlicensed provider, she expressed unease about leaving her child in such care. “We’re kind of forced into situations where we’re leaving our kids with people who are not licensed,” she said, highlighting the unintended consequences of the ongoing crisis.