Concerns raised about Quebec's plan to overhaul daycare admission system
Plans for an overhaul to Quebec's childcare admissions system are drawing concern from some over staffing shortages and daycare agency.
There are changes coming to public daycare admissions for children with special needs, and plenty of opinions on just how best to do that.
In 2020, Quebec’s auditor general called on the government to ensure children with special needs have equal access to daycare since those kids showed a lower placement rate than others.
As of fall 2019, 83 per cent of neurotypical children got a spot in daycare through the provincial placement system, notably higher than the 73 per cent of kids with special needs, such as autism, who got a spot.
The ruling Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) is now considering prioritizing them as part of a new centralized admission list, which Quebec's Minister of Families, Suzanne Roy, said will make for a big improvement.
"I think that in any case, it will improve the system," Roy said Tuesday.
However, that’s stoking fears that daycares might not be ready to accept more children with special needs.
Hallie Moyse, who sits on the board of directors at the Quebec Association for Preschool Professional Development, said she's concerned about how a centralized list could affect her centre.
"It sounds as if we will lose the opportunity to follow our own admissions policies and be at the mercy of the ministry," said Moyse, the vice-president of the CPE Shalom.
Priority for special needs kids should come with more funding for the educators who work with them, opposition parties say.
"I totally agree with the objective to give priority to kids from socio-economic backgrounds that are difficult, or with special needs, but we need to allow the resources," said PQ MNA Joël Arseneau.
In a statement, the families ministry told CTV News that work is underway to find the best way to prioritize children in the daycare system.
"The possibility of scheduling each provider's waiting list according to a point system is being explored with the national child care associations," the statement read.
"The goal is to find the best way to ensure that all children have equitable access to child care, including those living in low socioeconomic circumstances and those with special needs, in order to address some of the inequities in access identified in the QAG report. Additional consultations will be held with parent groups in the coming weeks."
The new system is expected to be up and running by the end of 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.