Some Nova Scotia parents leaving workforce due to lack of child care

Katie Reynolds had a fulfilling career in the beverage industry, but when her 18-month maternity leave came to an end, she faced a difficult decision. Despite registering her daughter on various daycare waitlists while she was seven months pregnant, Reynolds was unable to secure a spot that aligned with her full-time work hours.

“It was a heartbreaking realization that I had to choose between my career and motherhood,” Reynolds shared. “I had no choice but to become a stay-at-home parent, which was a terrifying prospect. I spent the first few weeks in tears, grappling with the idea of financial dependency on my husband.”

Living in Wolfville, N.S., with her husband and four-year-old daughter Violet, Reynolds had to bid farewell to her good salary, benefits, and pension. She had not anticipated the challenge of finding suitable childcare and the impact it would have on her professional life.

Reynolds is not alone in facing this predicament. According to a 2023 Statistics Canada report, 4.9 percent of children up to age five in Nova Scotia were not enrolled in childcare, leading their parents to delay their return to work. Kerri Johnson, provincial director of early learning and childcare for the YWCA Halifax, emphasized the critical role of affordable and accessible childcare in empowering women economically and enhancing their participation in the workforce.

The YWCA has over 1,000 children on its waitlists for various programs in Nova Scotia, underscoring the pressing need for more childcare spaces. Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Brendan Maguire highlighted the government’s efforts to create over 6,500 new childcare spaces since 2021, with a target of 9,500 new spaces by March 2026 under the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

However, challenges persist as Nova Scotia has lost more than 1,300 childcare spaces since July 2021. Closure of private-sector daycares has contributed to this decline, prompting Maguire to advocate for additional support from the federal government. Sarah Deveau, a mother of six from Bedford, N.S., had to leave her full-time job due to the lack of after-school care for her four children, experiencing financial strain as a result.

Despite the difficulties, Reynolds and Deveau remain hopeful about their future career prospects. Reynolds, while acknowledging the sacrifices she had to make, cherishes the time spent with her daughter and sees it as an opportunity for personal growth. Deveau is actively seeking part-time work that accommodates her children’s needs and hopes to re-enter the workforce soon.

As the government and advocacy groups work towards enhancing childcare accessibility and affordability in Nova Scotia, parents like Reynolds and Deveau continue to navigate the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities. The journey towards achieving a more equitable and supportive childcare system remains ongoing, with the well-being of families and children at the forefront of the conversation.