Seventy-six percent of Canadians believe it is best for children under six to be cared for at home by a parent, 
according to a new poll [1] by a leading pro-family organisation.
Respondents were asked: “Please tell me which arrangement you would ideally prefer for your children, even if you don’t have children under six.
“Would you prefer to: Have one parent stay home to care for your child? Have your child looked after by a competent care giver” or “Don’t know.”
A total of 61pc of Canadians believe that when it comes to government funding of childcare, funding should go directly to parent so they can pay for the choice that suits them best.
“This poll shows that the policy push in various provinces today stands in contrast to the desires of Canadians, who prefer to see funding go directly to them rather than into school bureaucracies or institutional care,” says Andrea Mrozek, Executive Director of the Institute.
“Parents aspire to spend more time with their small children. Across the country, it’s clear this is a goal. Public policy ought to better support families in this desire. A top-heavy, one-size-fits-all government solution will never serve the diverse needs of each unique family,” concludes Mrozek.
By region, Alberta has the strongest preference for child funding to go directly to parents, at 70pc.
Quebec follows Alberta, where 65pc of Quebeckers are in favour of direct payments to parents. This is in sharp contrast to the state-funded daycare system they currently have.
A direct subsidy to parents is also a popular choice among parents of children under six and females age 35 to 54.
Only 12pc believe the government should provide subsidies to child care centres to improve quality or create more spaces. A mere 10pc would expand the public school system to include child care.
Among parents of children under six, 69pc believe that having one parent at home to care for their child is the best option.
When parents are unable to be at home with their children, Canadians choose options that most closely replicate the home environment. Canadians believe that after a parent, a relative is the next best option, followed by a neighbourhood home childcare, with 51pc preferring a relative, 23pc preferring a neighbourhood childcare arrangement.
Twelve percent preferred a not-for-profit childcare centre, with seven percent opting for a for-profit childcare facility.