‘We know that it can be done’: Advocates press N.S. to create centralized daycare waitlist

Nova Scotia’s Official Opposition and child-care advocates are once again urging the provincial government to implement a centralized daycare waitlist, a strategy that has been successfully adopted by the other Atlantic provinces. Currently, parents in Nova Scotia searching for child care must apply to individual centres across the province. Given that most licensed child-care centres are operating at full capacity, families are often required to sign up for multiple waitlists in the hopes of eventually securing a spot. This process often begins during pregnancy for many parents, adding stress and uncertainty to an already challenging situation.

NDP MLA Suzy Hansen recently raised the issue during question period at the House of Assembly, highlighting the frustrations faced by parents who are left in the dark about when their child will secure a daycare spot. Hansen called on Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Brendan Maguire to consider implementing a centralized waitlist, noting that Maguire had previously advocated for one when he was a Liberal MLA.

While Maguire did not provide a definitive answer on whether the government is considering a centralized waitlist, he emphasized the government’s commitment to expanding access to daycare. Since signing a $605-million agreement with the federal government in 2021, the province has created over 6,500 new child-care spaces. Maguire’s department informed CBC News that they are in the process of developing a modern IT system to support early learning and child-care services, which could potentially include a coordinated registration and waitlist.

Neighboring provinces like Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador have already implemented centralized daycare waitlists, citing increased transparency for parents and reduced administrative burdens for both parents and child-care providers. Newfoundland and Labrador’s “early learning gateway” has been particularly successful, with Minister of Education Krista Howell noting that the digital waitlist has provided a better understanding of the true need for child care in the province.

In Nova Scotia, Beth Towler, executive director of Wee Care Developmental Centre in Halifax, has emphasized the need for a streamlined process that allows daycare centres to focus on child care rather than administrative tasks. Kenya Thompson with Child Care Now Nova Scotia highlighted the importance of ensuring that children with specific needs receive proper accommodations under a centralized registry system.

While there may be challenges in implementing a provincewide waitlist, such as accommodating children with diverse needs, advocates believe that it is a positive step towards creating a fully accessible, non-profit child-care system in line with the province’s agreement with Ottawa. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has indicated that the forthcoming IT system will prioritize the needs of Nova Scotians, with input from providers, families, educators, and other stakeholders driving the development process.

Overall, the push for a centralized daycare waitlist in Nova Scotia reflects a growing recognition of the need to improve access to quality child care for families across the province. By learning from the successful models implemented in other provinces, Nova Scotia can work towards a more efficient and transparent system that benefits both parents and child-care providers.