What is the childcare like in Canada? Moving there soon...

[Mamulka]

Hello to all mums and dads! We are moving from Ireland to Canada soon. My head is now full of pros and cons and both I and DH are on the rollercoaster of emotions such as ?we are doing the right thing? and ?this is the worst decision ever?. I guess it is never black and white. The thing is we are not EU nationals and still are temporary residents in Ireland (DH works in IT). Canada gives us a permanent residency and this is basically the main reason for us to go, although there are a number of other reasons too.
Anyway, DD is seventeen months now and it is a major headache to find a proper childcare in Ireland, by this I mean crèche. They are expensive, waiting lists are long and unless you book your child in before it?s even conceived you are most likely to hunt for various babysitters. What is the childcare like in Ontario? Early childcare, pre school, after school programmes? Where to get a list of registered childminders? Reading different immigration forums I have got the impression that Canada is family and child friendly place but does that mean government funded childcare and easy access to the playschools and crèches? Also, how about primary schools? I am interested in hearing parents? opinion of this, you know from the ?service users? point of view . Thank you!

hello. we moved back to my native canada back in May.

It's late and I'll have to make it brief but:

1. Childcare is good but not as heavily regulated. You tend to get a lot of people working out of there homes and not many staff to kids ratio.

1. There is no gov't funding as far as I know except $100 a month and that reduces depending on what you earn. There certainly isn't any of this free childcare from the age of three to school age of four stuff.

the places are pretty easy to get your child into. depending on how built up the area is you are living is, you won't have a problem just getting your child in next day or shortly.

i don't honestly think canada is any more child friendly than the UK. They make out they are in a hypocrytical north american fashion but the fact remains that the gov't funds very little and holiday entitlement is depressing.

childcare is def cheaper. you're looking at about $500 per month if the child is full time.

as for lists of things and gov't agencies to help, we struggle on this. it seems to be down to combing the yellow pages and searching on the internet.

Oh, yeah, the ratio rules are much more relaxed - I often see carers out with little kids, and a ratio of one to five (which is the max in Canada). By comparison, the UK ratio for under-threes is one to three.

In Montreal, there is subsidised daycare - lots of $5/day places. Well, I say lots, there are quite big queues for those places, as you'd expect.

I think children start full-time school at a later age in Canada - at least, my sister's DD, who is 5, is still only on half days, I think.

Hi again! Thanks very much DaddyCool and NotQuiteCockney. Yes, certainly not a paradise according to what you have said...I too was shocked to learne about two weeks holidays allowance and no more. Still we do not have much choice and will try our luck in Canada. I am actually very glad they start school at an older age (5 or 6 I heard), here in Ireland as in UK I think they start very early.
How about general facilities public playgrounds, public swimming pools or leisurecentres and alike?

hello. sorry for the delay.

i find public facilities and things to do with kids really good.... so much I have to list them....

Lots of parks with expensive, un-vandalised play stuff.

YMCA in almost every large town with swimming

outside swimming in almost every town.

an ice rink in even the smallest of towns (they are hockey mad) with free skating 3 or 4 times a week for $1 (it's seriously excellent)

lots of uncrowded beaches around lake ontario and lake erie (though the water will turn your feet blue, even in July)

Lots of skiing both in the day and in the evening, open all winter, very close and very reasonably priced. Some small very family orientated little resorts all around the toronto area.

too much to mention. loads of stuff for kids.

I am from ontario. Where are you going ie what city. Toronto is the biggest city and childcare is more expensive and harder to get. The parks and playgrounds are excellent. School full time is when they are 6. If you are in a place like ottawa, your child can get great french language training in the school system (a real advantage in canada). Alot of canadians use nannies and they are not too expensive from what I hear. Lots of playgroups for kids and moms/dads. There are lots of dayscares (creches) around but you will need to investigate them yourself. Best advice, if you can, ask your neighbors, go to the playgroups and ask around for recommendations (especially government funded ones) because they are a great resource for finding daycares.

Echo daddycool, lots of outdoor activities, learn to skate, get your kids in hockey, lots of hiking, swimming, you will get used to winter, you really will, I actually miss the snow being here in the UK (well maybe not hte storm hitting ontario right now) but I love winter. Give canada a chance, once the you get used to the change, you will really like it. And canadians love the irish so you will find yourself very welcome.