In Montreal, families are facing challenges with accessing affordable daycare as new provincial regulations limit public daycare eligibility for newcomers to Quebec holding open work permits. This change has not only affected newcomers but has also exacerbated the long waitlists at public CPEs, prompting many parents to explore private daycare options like Garderie Jardin William in Griffintown.
Owner and president Sophie Apollon-Auguste shared that half of their clientele is waiting for subsidized spots at public CPEs due to the significant price difference compared to private care. The private daycare is bridging the gap left by the strained government childcare system, with families citing lengthy waitlists and unexpected expulsions from public daycares as reasons for turning to private options.
The recent tightening of daycare eligibility rules for immigrants by the Quebec government, particularly affecting newcomers with open work permits, has added to the childcare challenges faced by families. Despite some families being reinstated after a legal threat, the new regulations have made it even more difficult for families to secure childcare services in the province.
Apollon-Auguste emphasized the financial strain on families when deciding between private and subsidized daycare options, noting that while families may prefer private care for its quality and attachment, the financial aspect often dictates their final decision.
Furthermore, the increasing demand for daycare services has led to early waitlist registrations, with public daycare officials highlighting capacity as a major concern. Alexa Soleil Pariseau stressed the need for more support in the childcare system to address the growing demand, emphasizing that the issue lies in the lack of available daycare spots rather than the quality of care provided.
