TKW Consulting

Child care myths
By Laurie Jeandron, Hamilton Child Care Action Network co-ordinator
The Hamilton Spectator(Mar 29, 2006)

Recent discussions about the impending cancellation of the federal /provincial agreement on a national child care plan and the impact of this on Hamilton has revealed numerous myths many people are operating under.

It is a myth that a national system of early learning and care is about providing free babysitting to those who choose to work outside their homes.

Currently, more than 70 per cent of mothers who have preschool-aged children are working or studying outside their home. Most do this out of necessity, not to fund luxuries. No family allowance will let those women return to their homes on a full-time basis. Research shows that high quality care provides developmental benefits to children at the critical periods and the benefits of high quality child care are long-lasting.

It is a myth that parents who choose child care outside their home are negating their parental responsibility.

I have worked with thousands of children over my 22 year early childhood education career and only claim to have "raised" the two children I gave birth to. And yes, they are the beneficiaries of an excellent education in their early years and are being raised in a loving home by their father and me. Supporting parents in their role not only benefits
individual families, but allows families to do a better job and raise healthy and competent children who become contributing members of society.

It is a myth that the cost of raising children should be borne only by those who created them. This myth has usually been perpetuated by people who are themselves beneficiaries of a public education and who have had access to public services such as free health care, public libraries, transportation, policing and such.

It is a myth that a national system of early learning and child care would provide full-time care and institutionalize all children. Quality must be the cornerstone of any system that is responsible for children and can only be achieved through partnerships with parents. Not all parents want or need full-time care for their children and a responsive system would provide part-time options as well as supports and programs for those who choose to stay at home.

The only way to move forward on this critical issue is to have an informed discussion. As long as many continue to hold onto a 1950's ideal of family, we will be doing a disservice to children and parents in Hamilton and in Canada. We have to do better.